Czech education reforms lag behind 2030 strategy, expert warns of systemic failures

Radek Sárközi contends that the Czech Republic lacks a consistent vision for advancing its school system, with each minister resetting priorities instead of adhering to the official Strategy for Educational Policy to 2030+. He highlights that chronic issues—like the shortage of secondary school slots in Prague and a deficit of qualified teachers—have been known for years but remain unresolved. Attempts to address teacher shortages by allowing school heads to recognize non-trained individuals as teachers have lowered instructional quality.

Salary promises, such as paying teachers 130 % of the average wage promised during Petra Buzková’s tenure, have never been met; the peak was 126 % under Andrej Babiš in 2021, later declining to 108 % under Petr Fiala. Additionally, recent amendments to the school law have removed teachers’ right to choose teaching methods and grading criteria. Sárközi questions whether one outlet government will finally fulfill these long-standing commitments.