What is a Recognised Period of Parenthood?

Since 2013, the Higher Education Act has introduced a 'recognised period of parenthood' (RPP). It is not compulsory to take advantage of it, it is just an option, but it is certainly useful. For details, see in the RPP Methodological Guidelines.

Students can take advantage of RPP from the moment they start maternity leave, i.e. no earlier than 8 weeks before giving birth. If the student who is the father of the child wants to claim RPP benefits, then this is only possible after the birth of the child.

The recognised period of parenthood is set until the child's third birthday. The period of study for which you would have taken parental leave, i.e. the period of recognised parental leave, will now not count towards the total period of study for the purposes of the extended period fee. Which means in practice that if you extend your studies by this time, you will not be penalised for this in the assessment of fees. It also has the advantage that this the time is included in the calculation of your pension.

During the RPP it is possible to modify the conditions and interrupt studies

Daniela Králová was offered a break in her studies by the study department, but she continued. She had agreed with the teachers that she would have about 1-2 more absences, the teachers were completely accommodating, and Daniela successfully obtained her MA degree at the Faculty of Arts in 2015. "I was studying Russian as a second major at the Faculty of Education. But because I was pregnant with another baby, I interrupted my studies at this faculty," Daniela explains her situation. During the RPP period, you are entitled to take examinations outside the standard examination period. It depends mainly on an arrangement with the teacher. The RPP applies to both full-time and combined studies.