Primary education department guarantees and coordinates initial teacher training for teachers of primary and pre-primary schools. Both programmes are provided as a full time and a combined study. The teacher training for primary education is realized as a 5- year Master's study programme. The teacher training for pre-primary education is provided as a 3- year bachelor's programme. However, students of pre-primary education manage to elaborate their knowledge in follow-up 2- year Master's degree programme. The department offers highly requested specialization in drama education for both programmes. Moreover, the department implements a rich international cooperation with European universities especially within the program Erasmus +, thus it offers courses for international students mainly from the pre-primary and primary education field. The department also organizes courses of continuing teacher education.
Primary education department conducts research on pre-primary and primary education and initial teacher training. The department emphasizes on development of the research area- primary education as a child-centred education. At the same time, the research focuses on finding balance between onto-didactics and psycho-didactics approach in the field of educating primary school students. The department also participates in the research on profession vision of students- future teachers, implementing reflecting practice elements in the study programme, history of education, etc. Another research activities target on accepting 2- year old children to kindergarten and compulsory school attendance in pre-school class. Likewise, it is focused on kindergarten teachers who are responsible for providing theoretical and practical conditions for these new implements. Primary education department has developed a crucial tradition in research and development in changes of primary and pre-primary education. The department has also reached an important position in transformation process of Czech educational system since 1990. Not only in conceptual, theoretical and expert levels, but also in particular help in practical training. Primary education department provides Rigorous proceeding (PhDr.) and doctoral study in Pedagogy (Ph.D.).
