Some Czech universities could lose accreditation under stricter new law, says minister

The number of third-level educational institutions could fall markedly under a new bill making it harder for them to get accreditation, the minister of education, Marcel Chládek, said on a Czech Television discussion show on Sunday. Mr. Chládek refused to say how many schools could lose their licenses if the law, which is currently being prepared by the Ministry of Education, comes into effect. At present there are 77 public universities, 33 private ones and two state ones in the Czech Republic. The minister also said conditions would be tougher for branches of foreign universities in this country.