Prague plans to build at least seven primary schools in the coming years

Prague - The leadership of Prague wants to build four elementary schools during this electoral term and prepare projects for three more. In the case of Zličín, Dolní Chabry, and Velká Chuchle, construction is already underway, and the city districts are responsible for the construction, with funds provided by the city hall. The next school to be built is planned in Šeberov, with more schools anticipated in Březíněves, Kolovraty, and Dolní Počernice. Prague councilor Vít Šimral (Pirates) said this to reporters today. According to him, the goal is for every child to have a school within walking distance. The city also aims to strengthen mathematics teaching, improve teacher education, and enhance director recruitment processes.

The councilor stated that although there is currently sufficient capacity in elementary schools, children from the outskirts of the metropolis often have to commute to central areas, which contradicts the city's idea of short distances. Therefore, all new schools are planned for the peripheral areas of Prague. The released capacity could be used, for example, for alternative forms of education, such as Montessori schools and kindergartens, added Šimral.

The councilor added that the city currently anticipates that the cost of building one school with 18 classrooms, a small gym, and a cafeteria would be around 350 million crowns. The city has provided subsidies to the city districts for the already started facilities; however, it is already clear, according to Šimral, that in all three cases, the allocated funds will not be sufficient, and city hall will have to co-finance the projects. The current budget allocates nearly one billion crowns for investments in elementary and kindergarten education, with additional funds coming from European funds.

The city is also planning further changes in education. According to Šimral, in the future, school councils, composed of representatives of parents, educators, and the founder (in the case of secondary schools, the city hall, and in the case of elementary and kindergarten schools, the city district) should play a more significant role. "Today, they do not fulfill the role that we as founders expect from them," said the councilor. The city also wants to improve teacher education and the selection of school directors.

Regarding the content of education, the city leadership wants to place greater emphasis on teaching mathematics and programming. "Mathematics will become part of the state graduation exams, and we must reflect this in some way," explained the councilor. The goal is also to encourage more girls to engage with technical subjects, which currently only make up a tiny percentage of accepted students in secondary industrial schools. The planned changes are expected to begin to be implemented this September.

Prague also contributes to the salaries of teachers and non-teaching staff. This year, the contribution should amount to one billion crowns, and gradually, the coalition of Pirates, Prague Together, and United Forces for Prague (TOP 09 and STAN) aims to increase it to 1.5 billion. The city leadership will also reach out to the ministry and government to ensure Prague receives more funding for education. Currently, according to Šimral, the metropolis receives, on average, 200 crowns less per teaching position than other regions.