University lecturers of foreign languages in the Czech Republic are expressing concerns over a proposal by the former Education Minister, Vladimir Balas, to remove the requirement for primary schools to teach a second foreign language, excluding English. In an open letter addressed to the newly appointed Education Minister, Mikulas Bek, the language teachers emphasize the potential dangers that such a move could pose to the future development of education and scholarship in the country.

The letter, signed by language teachers from prominent institutions such as Charles University’s Faculties of Arts and Education, the Association of Teachers of French, and the Association of University Teachers of French Gallica, reinforces the importance of retaining a second foreign language as a compulsory subject. It also garners support from organizations like the Czech-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the French-Czech Chamber of Commerce, and the Czech-German Fund for the Future.

Currently, the teaching of a second foreign language is mandatory for students in grades eight and nine since 2013. However, in March 2022, an expert panel of the Ministry of Education suggested allowing students to choose whether to study a second foreign language voluntarily.

The lecturers argue that learning a second foreign language provides numerous benefits to students, including cognitive development, cultural understanding, and improved career prospects. They believe that by eliminating this requirement, the country risks losing the competitive edge and diminishing opportunities for future generations.

In a separate development, Prague City Hall, in collaboration with the central Prague 1 District, is considering the implementation of fees for non-resident vehicles entering the historical center of the city. The primary objective of this initiative is to alleviate traffic congestion in the area. The proposal, supported by Prague Deputy Mayor Zdenek Hrib and Prague 1 Mayor Terezie Radomerska, aims to introduce the fees starting from the beginning of the following year, although the specific details are still under discussion. Additionally, there are plans to impose restrictions on visitor parking in the historical center to further manage the flow of vehicles.

The introduction of fees for non-resident cars and restrictions on parking is a response to the growing concerns about the increasing number of vehicles in Prague’s historical center. The city officials believe that such measures will help create a more sustainable and pedestrian-friendly environment, ensuring the preservation of the city’s cultural heritage for future generations while also improving the quality of life for residents and visitors alike. The specifics of the fees and parking restrictions are expected to be finalized in the coming months through a collaborative process involving city officials, stakeholders, and the public.

Article by Prague Forum