Czech Republic: new education priorities for 2023-27

The education ministry is obliged by law to prepare a Long-term plan every 4 years, outlining measures at the State level. Similarly to the Strategy 2030+, the Long-term plan was developed transparently, incorporating evidence-based policy principles, public consultations and roundtable discussions involving multiple stakeholders.

For 2023-27, the ministry has defined three priorities for regional education:

• children and youth: fostering personal development and motivation for lifelong learning;
• schools and educators: advancing modern education and ensuring educators are well-trained;
• efficient education: promoting sustainable and efficient education based on accountability for learning outcomes.

The Long-term plan 2023-27 continues pursuing two strategic objectives from the Strategy 2030+. The focus is on modernising the education content and methods to equip individuals with competences for an active civic, professional and personal life in the 21st century, while ensuring equitable access to quality education.

In VET, the main objectives include optimisation and innovation of the system structure to meet the needs of the labour market, social dynamics, technological and economic development, as well as the interests of VET school applicants. There is a focus on strengthening general education components, key competences and basic literacies across VET fields, aligned with their specific vocational focus. The share of general fields is also set to increase.

The ministry plans to improve further the quality of practical training by strengthening the elements of dual education and encouraging cooperation between schools and employers. A quality standard for practical training will be developed, including expected conditions for workplaces and school premises.

Moreover, the ministry aims to improve the quality of upper secondary and tertiary VET by supporting the continuous professional development of teachers, particularly those teaching vocational subjects and practical training. This includes implementing internships with employers. Other objectives include the modernisation of admissions and graduations through digitalisation, and the implementation of an alternative form of the profile Maturita exam, such as a comprehensive graduation thesis. Finally, the ministry will also explore the position of tertiary professional schools in the education system and the potential introduction of short-cycle training programmes (EQF 5).

There is a strong emphasis on the training of teachers and school leaders, aiming for closer alignment of teaching practice with the school environment, while the development of an innovative concept for the undergraduate training of teaching staff should also be developed.

The regions – as founders of most upper secondary schools – have been involved in the public consultation process. The measures outlined in the Long-term plan 2023-27 will be implemented through the regions’ own long-term plans for 2024-28. Among other things, they will have to comply with the rules for registration of new schools and capacities in the school register.

Read more

• Dlouhodobý záměr vzdělávání a rozvoje vzdělávací soustavy České republiky. [‘Long-term plan for Education’ and the ‘Development of the education system of the Czech Republic for 2023-27]  
• Strategie vzdělávací politiky České republiky do roku 2030+ [Strategy for education policy of the Czech Republic 2030+]. MŠMT 2020.