Other

In the lasts seven years, about two fifths of respondents have visited protected landscape areas and national parks in the CZ more than once (41 %) and about a third have visited them once (32 %). Information about nature on placards, notice boards or leaflets located in these areas is always read by 26%, and mostly by 57 % of respondents. These respondents predominantly give the quality of information a positive evaluation – only for 26 % is the information too specialised, detailed and incomprehensible.

In the survey implemented in the fist half of October, opinions and standpoints of the population regarding the issues of protected landscape areas and national parks in the CZ were explored for the needs of the Czech ecological Institute. Citizens, with some exceptions, do not doubt the importance of protected landscape areas and national parks for nature protection (97 %). A half of respondents think that villages and towns located in protected areas manage to exploit the opportunities, which these localities offer them; this is for example, the possibility of making a profit from tourism (51 %).

The survey results confirmed that the upbringing of children was concentrated in the hands of women. About four fifths of respondents with children say for example that mother takes the child to the doctor’s or used to go to the doctor’s in case of the grown up child, as well as stays or used to stay with the child at home during illness. Mainly mothers read stories to their children and learn with them.

The standard of education is valued as best at grammar schools (70 % positively, 8 % negatively) and universities (63 % positively, 8 % negatively). Two thirds of respondents also consider elementary schools as having a good standard (66 % positive, 22 % negative opinions) and a slightly smaller number thinks this about secondary schools completed by a school-leaving examination (62 % positive, 18 % negative opinions).

The September survey also included a section of questions devoted to issues on the Czech school system. Among other things, the respondents gave their opinions about the issues of equal access to education, grammar schools providing schooling over more than four years, and private secondary schools. Almost two thirds of Czech citizens are worried that many talented children in this country will not be given a chance to study, but 6 out of 10 respondents agree with the statement that only ability and the will to study will decide what education level will be achieved and by whom.

Within the June research we surveyed standpoints of the Czech public towards the media. First of all we were interested in ratings of the main television news programmes. Eight out of ten respondents said that in the previous week they had seen TV Nova news at least once. About three quarters of respondents had watched "Události (Events)" (the main news broadcast of ČT1) at least once. Prima news had been seen at least once by less than a half of Czechs (46%) and ČT2 news by a third (33%).

Forty five percent of people above 15 years of age in the CZ can cook a wide range of meals. On the contrary, 27 % of respondents admitted they could not cook at all. In our society, there are approximately 19 % of households, in which both partners take turns in cooking. Predominantly women cook in households, they themselves admit it in 67 % of cases. Women, more often than men, were taught cooking by their mothers or grandparents, men, more often than women, learnt cooking from their fathers.

At least several times a week, meals are cooked in 9 out of 10 households, only 8 % of respondents said that they only cooked several times a month or even less. Three quarters of the population eat in restaurants at least several times a month, while every fifth respondent admits that their family does not eat in restaurants at all. From the point of view of a healthy and regular diet, it is not a very good finding that 5 % of Czechs do not have breakfast and the same number misses lunch.

Within the May survey Public Opinion Research Centre concentrated on the topic of traditional Czech cuisine. The research included a section of questions devoted to finding out which traditional regional meals respondents know and if they themselves cook them. From the results it arises that people most often consider as regional meals – potato pancakes, potato cakes, kulajda (cream of mushroom soup), kyselo (mushroom sour cream sauce), cakes and goulash, and they also most frequently cook these meals in their household.

Ingredients, which Czech citizens most frequently associate traditional Czech cuisine with, include potatoes, cabbage and cottage cheese. Typically Czech meals, such as yeast fruit dumplings, garlic soup and potato pancakes, were tasted by practically all respondents at some time. Three quarters of respondents also prepare these meals in their own households. Hot cross-buns are least known by respondents.