President Petr Pavel recently visited schools in Bukovany and Sadov, located in the Karlovy Vary Region, to extend his well-wishes to first-graders embarking on their educational journey. In his address to the children, President Pavel emphasized that the key is not necessarily to be the best but to strive to be the best one can be.

Addressing the young students in Bukovany, President Pavel stated, “You will remember this day for the rest of your life. It is a significant change in your life. Until now, you have been playing, and now you will also have to learn. Everyone will find something they enjoy; the worst thing that could happen to you is not to find anything.”

He further encouraged the children to read, emphasizing that books are not adversaries but rather windows to the world, and he referred to them as beautiful things.

President Pavel also touched upon the significance of education, addressing concerns raised by the Finance Ministry’s current proposal to reduce 20,000 jobs in the education sector. While he acknowledged that he did not yet know the precise details of the proposal, he underscored that education remains a top priority for the Czech Republic and should not be disregarded, even during times of fiscal restraint.

Subsequently, President Pavel visited Sadov, where he wished the children there a positive start to their academic year. The primary school and kindergarten in Sadov represent one of the first schools in the Czech Republic established by a voluntary “union of municipalities.”

President Pavel’s choice of these particular schools highlights the potential for schools to enhance the quality and accessibility of education in the region through municipal cooperation, an approach that has been relatively rare in the Czech Republic thus far.

In the months leading up to his inauguration, President Pavel had already identified education system shortcomings as one of the primary challenges facing the Karlovy Vary Region, alongside the absence of universities. He emphasized that the region would benefit from the presence of higher education institutions, which could help retain young talent within the region.

President Pavel’s visit to these schools underscores the government’s commitment to fostering a culture of learning, openness, and curiosity among students and promoting educational access and quality across regions in the Czech Republic.

Article by Prague Forum