More than 60% of primary, secondary, and kindergarten schools in the Czech Republic are expected to participate in a day-long warning strike on November 27, organized by school unions advocating for increased education funding. Jana Kasparova, a spokesperson for the unions, revealed the estimate, emphasizing the diverse impact on schools, with some closing entirely and others operating on a limited basis.

The primary demand of the striking unions is a call for higher financial allocations to the education sector. They are specifically critical of the proposed 2% reduction in funding for non-teaching staff salaries, covering roles such as cooks, school housekeepers, economists, psychologists, and IT workers. Additionally, the unions oppose a government draft regulation seeking to reduce the maximum number of teaching hours funded from the state budget.

The Ministry of Education’s yearbook reports that the Czech Republic hosts over 4,200 primary schools, nearly 1,300 secondary schools, and about 5,400 kindergartens. While most primary and kindergarten schools are established by municipalities, regions primarily operate secondary schools. Private and church-run institutions constitute a minority in each category.

The scope of the strike extends beyond traditional schools, with university faculties joining the cause. Petr Baierl, Chairman of the Higher Education Workers’ Trade Union (VOS), disclosed that 13 university faculties, including the prestigious Faculty of Arts at Charles University, are lending symbolic support to the demands.

Regional education demands have found solidarity from the entire university union, as well as educators in children’s and youth homes and educational institutes. Some secondary school students are also supporting the strike, with the Students for Education initiative planning a protest in Prague, culminating at the Education Ministry.

The unions argue that insufficient funding could lead to a reduction in teaching hours, larger class sizes, limited elective subjects, and a threat to small classes. They aim to prevent salary decreases for non-teaching staff, teachers, teaching assistants, and school psychologists.

In response, the Ministry of Education’s proposed budget for the next year stands at CZK 269 billion, a CZK 3.9 billion increase from the current year. However, Education Minister Mikulas Bek reiterated that there would be no additional increase, proposing a possible transfer of CZK 4 billion from the budget reserve in early 2024. This, he stated, would be contingent on the balance of the current year’s state budget and the drawdown of European funds, with the funds expected to be available by the end of January when individual school budgets are finalized.

Article by Prague Forum