Czech schools welcome around 1.5 million students back for new school year

The new school year began today for around 1.5 million Czech elementary and secondary school students. Around 115,000 children started first grade, while the number of elementary school pupils is down by around 1,400 from last year. The number of secondary school students has risen to around 493,200.

President Petr Pavel opened the school year at a primary school in Brodek u Konice, in the Olomouc Region, which is marking its centenary this year. His visit followed a handwritten letter from pupils who are now fourth-graders.