Experts warn of instability, inequality and teacher shortages in Czech schools

A lack of long-term planning, unequal quality between schools and shortages of teachers are among the biggest problems facing Czech education, according to ten experts surveyed by iROZHLAS.cz, the news website of Czech Radio. Several criticised frequent changes in government priorities and unpredictable funding. Experts also highlighted large differences in pupils’ results: more than 20 percent struggle with reading comprehension, while disadvantaged pupils tend to be concentrated in particular schools and regions. Another concern is staffing. Around a third of Czech teachers are over 55, and some estimates suggest the country could be short of up to 10,000 teachers within a decade.