The Central Bohemian Region in the Czech Republic is taking proactive measures to address the increasing demand for grammar schools by constructing new facilities and expanding existing ones. Milan Vácha, the regional councilor for education, recently announced plans to construct two new grammar schools and expand three others in response to the overwhelming number of applications received this year.

Currently, the four-year grammar schools in the region have a capacity of 1,300 spots. However, this year alone, there have been 2,988 applications, leaving many students uncertain about securing a spot at their preferred school. To mitigate this issue, Vácha assured applicants who score 80 points and above but are not admitted to a grammar school, even in the second round of admissions, that the region will assist them in finding alternative solutions. Similar support will be extended to applicants who scored 60 points for other schools.

While Vácha emphasized that the overall capacity of secondary schools in the region, which exceeds 14,000 spots, can accommodate the approximately 14,000 ninth-grade students, he acknowledged the localized capacity problems and anticipated a potential increase in the student population to 16,000 in the coming years.

To tackle the capacity shortage, the Central Bohemian Region has outlined plans for the construction of a new grammar school in Černošice and Jesenice near Prague. Additionally, attic conversions at the grammar schools in Říčany and Beroun, as well as the reconstruction of one floor at the Hostivice grammar school, are also in the works.

Vácha highlighted that admission cutoff scores for grammar schools were generally not dramatic in most districts, with Rakovník at 57 points, Kladno at 69 points, Benešov at 76 points, and Kolín at 60 points. However, in some parts of the region, the competition for a single spot was notably high, with an average of three to four ninth-grade students vying for admission. The Prague-West district faced a particularly challenging situation, with 16 ninth-grade students per spot.

In addition to expanding grammar schools, Vácha advocated for the inclusion of lyceums in gymnasia education. He emphasized the region’s support for pedagogical lyceums, which cater to humanities-oriented university students, allowing them to focus less on technical subjects compared to grammar schools. Furthermore, Vácha emphasized the need to establish combined lyceums to provide high-quality general education to students who are undecided about their future field of study.

Beyond the expansion of grammar schools, the Central Bohemian Region has also witnessed an increase in applications for other secondary schools. The regional government has approved capacity increases for selected fields such as electronic mechanics and public administration, with several hundred additional spots already approved for the upcoming school year.

While the administrative process will determine whether these spots can be offered this year or in the following year, these efforts signify the region’s commitment to meeting the educational needs of its students and ensuring access to quality secondary education opportunities.

Article by Prague Forum