News

According to the Czech Statistical Office (ČSÚ), the number of students in preschools and primary schools in the Czechia slightly decreased between the past two school years, while the number of high school students increased. Preschools saw a decline of 4,714 children, and primary school enrollment dropped by 0.7%. Conversely, high school enrollment grew by 4.7% compared to the previous year. The rise in high school students marks a 15.2% increase over the past five years. This shift reflects broader demographic trends and migration patterns in the country.

Czech Interior Minister Vít Rakušan (Mayors and Independents Party) announced details regarding the transformation of Česká pošta. The state enterprise will split into two entities next year: one focusing on basic postal and state-related services, and the other, Balíkovna, specializing in commercial parcel services. Balíkovna, the commercial postal service provider, will be separated from Česká pošta into an independent company on April 1, 2025. Initially, it will remain state-owned to assess its independent performance before any potential sale. Česká pošta will continue operating its 2,900 branches under a new postal license while expanding services like handling government and health insurance tasks. It has managed to reduce its significant losses from previous years and is expected to operate with a "red zero" result in 2024. Its 20,000 employees will receive a 10 percent salary increase.

Fuel prices in the Czech Republic have decreased significantly over the past week. The most popular gasoline, Natural 95, dropped by an average of 31 hellers to 37.18 CZK per liter, while diesel fell by 43 hellers to 35.31 CZK per liter. CCS company which monitors fuel prices reports that compared to the same period last year, gasoline is now 2.5 CZK cheaper per liter, and diesel is 2.62 CZK cheaper. Prices have fluctuated notably over the past year, but recent months have seen a consistent decline, with the lowest prices currently found in Ústecký and Pardubický regions.

When the 2026 ban on amalgam comes into force, adults will still be able to have their dental fillings fully covered by health insurance, the head of the Czech Chamber of Dentists, Roman Šmucler, told the CTK news agency following talks with Health Ministry officials. According to an earlier proposal the ministry only envisaged partial reimbursement for dental fillings. According to Roman Šmucler, who fought this proposal on the grounds that many Czechs would not be able to afford treatment, an agreement was reached that a simple filling made of photo-composite would be fully covered by health insurance for all patients. Those who request a better quality white filling will have to cover the extra cost.