Photo: top09.cz

Approximately seventy experts from all regions of the Czech Republic discussed the current state of the Czech education system and the direction it should take in light of current trends at a program conference organized by TOP 09, titled "Current Challenges in Education."

TOPAZ organized the conference on Saturday, April 6, 2024, under the patronage of TOP 09 Senator Jan Grulich, with financial support from the Konrad Adenauer Foundation. The discussions covered all levels of the education system, as well as topics related to the health of children and young people, inclusion, and adult education.

"Revising the core curriculum is not just a change on paper, but a change in mindset. If principals, teachers, administrators, and, most importantly, parents, do not understand this, there is little hope of moving our education system to where it needs to be and where it should have been long ago,"

Senator Jan Grulich, who gave the opening speech at the conference, emphasized this point.

Following him, the Minister for Science, Research and Innovation, Helena Langšádlová, presented a draft amendment regarding changes in support for doctoral students. You can read more about the draft law HERE.

"We, the nation of Comenius, who claim that a child is ready for education at the age of six, are keeping children in preschools until the age of seven."

MP Pavel Klíma introduced his contribution on the topic of deferrals of compulsory school attendance with these words. "Excessive deferrals are a problem, but it can also be an opportunity for change if it is addressed systematically," added the TOP 09 MP.

Martina Ochodnická, Deputy Chair of TOP 09, emphasized in her speech that schools should be a safe and healthy environment, and a place where differences are valued. She also mentioned the role of prevention and regulation of addictive substances, and the importance of healthy and balanced nutrition. "TOP 09, led by Minister of Health Vlastimil Válek, has been working on issues that emphasize healthy school meals, but also the problem of addictive substances, since the beginning of the electoral term. We agree that regulation, not prohibition, is the way to go, as well as strengthening prevention. As a right-wing party, we also emphasize that we must focus our efforts on those who are most at risk, which in education are children with combined disabilities," said Martina Ochodnická.

Jaromír Beran, representative of the senior director of the education and youth section at the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports, also spoke during the first session, providing current information about the education system and its management.

A particularly interesting addition to the program was a presentation by Alena Reslová from the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung, titled DigiHavel. Participants tested conversations with artificial intelligence on their mobile phones on topics related to democracy, human rights, or totalitarianism. This platform, which uses artificial intelligence in education, is primarily intended for secondary schools. You can find more information about the project HERE.

The afternoon session focused on higher education, but also on adult education. Associate Professor Anna Putnová, as a university educator, presented the challenges facing higher education institutions, including the use of artificial intelligence and the training of educators. In today's rapidly changing world, education should not be limited to the youngest age groups. It is also necessary to consider retraining programs and lifelong development of essential skills for the 21st century. In this context, and particularly regarding adult education, Lucie Komorousová, a member of the TOPAZ Academic Council, gave a presentation. At the end of the conference, presentations and conclusions from the various thematic groups were shared, which were formed during group work among the conference participants. The Czech education system faces many challenges, and these will not change overnight. It will require the efforts of not only politicians, but of all of us. Intensive communication between teachers, principals, administrators, and parents is essential in this process, and today's conference contributed to that. https://www.top09.cz/co-delame/tiskove-zpravy/programova-konference-top-09-aktualni-vyzvy-v-oblasti-vzdelavani-31498.html