Czech Secondary School Union

The Česká středoškolská unie (ČSU), known in English as the Czech Secondary School Union, is an independent, non-profit association founded in 2013 to represent the interests and rights of secondary school students in the Czech Republic. It operates as a civic association (z. s.) and is composed of representatives from student self-governance bodies—such as student councils, student governments, and youth parliaments—that exist in secondary schools under the Czech Education Act of 2004, specifically Article 21, letter a) of sub-article (1). The organisation advocates for students at the national level, supports the functioning of student councils, and maintains dialogue with the Ministry of Education and the parliamentary education committee. It organises round tables on education, runs projects and campaigns such as the 'Model Self-Government' (Vzorová samospráva) project, and is a member of the Organising Bureau of European School Student Unions (OBESSU). The union's mission is to change education by promoting innovation and dialogue, to support student self-governance, and to defend the interests of secondary school students, emphasising that education is not merely preparation for the labour market but a prerequisite for a functioning democratic society. The current presidium, elected at the 15th republican assembly, consists of President Viktor René Schilke, First Vice-President Ondřej Nováček, Second Vice-President Erika Kubálková, and two presidium members, Petr Franc and Filip Slaný.

The Česká středoškolská unie (ČSU) was established in 2013 as an independent, non-profit association with the intention of representing Czech secondary school students. It emerged as a civic association (z. s.) under Czech law, aiming to give secondary school students a voice at the national level. The organisation is built on the network of student self-governance bodies that exist in Czech secondary schools according to the Education Act of 2004 (Article 21, letter a) of sub-article (1)). From its founding, the union has focused on advocating for students' rights, supporting student councils and parliaments, and fostering dialogue with the Ministry of Education and the parliamentary education committee. It organises round tables on education and runs projects such as the 'Model Self-Government' (Vzorová samospráva) project, which serves as a template for effective student self-governance. On the international level, the ČSU became a member of the Organising Bureau of European School Student Unions (OBESSU), which federates school student unions across Europe. The union has held regular republican assemblies; by the time of the 15th assembly, the presidium was led by President Viktor René Schilke, with Ondřej Nováček as First Vice-President, Erika Kubálková as Second Vice-President, and Petr Franc and Filip Slaný as members. The organisation continues to campaign for improvements in Czech education, including reforms to the maturita examination and greater emphasis on civic education.

• 2013

  Česká středoškolská unie founded as an independent non-profit association.

• Became a member of the Organising Bureau of European School Student Unions (OBESSU).

• 15th republican assembly held; Viktor René Schilke elected president.

Independent, non-profit student union advocating for secondary school students' rights and education reform in the Czech Republic.

• Vzorová samospráva (Model Self-Government)

  A project providing a model for how student self-governance can function and its benefits.

• Educational round tables

  Events bringing together stakeholders to discuss education issues.

• Student council support

  Support for the functioning of student councils and parliaments.

• Měníme vzdělávání (Changing Education)
• Mluvme do toho (Let's Have a Say)

1. 1Česká středoškolská unie | Středoškoláci středoškolákůmstredoskolskaunie.cz
2. 2Wikidata: Česká středoškolská uniewikidata.org
3. 3Syndicat tchèque des lycéensfr.wikipedia.org