ODS proposes 8+2 education reform to cut costs

The Civic Democratic Party (ODS) has introduced a major education reform proposal known as the ‘8+2’ system. The plan involves shortening primary education to eight years and making the first two years of secondary school mandatory.

According to ODS Chairman Martin Kupka and MP Renáta Zajíčková, abolishing the ninth grade of primary school could save approximately 9 billion CZK. The party also aims for a total long-term benefit of 30 billion CZK through increased efficiency.

A central component of the reform is a complete overhaul of school financing. ODS proposes moving away from the current system, which funds schools based on reported teaching hours, to a model where funding follows the individual student. This change is intended to incentivize quality of education rather than the mere expansion of teaching hours and staff.