Czech primary education reform debate

In late July 2026 the Czech government began discussing two major education changes. On 23 July, Education Minister Robert Plaga said the coalition was weighing a proposal to make kindergarten compulsory from age four, while opposing a plan to eliminate the ninth year of primary school. The idea to scrap the ninth grade was promoted by Freedom and Direct Democracy leader Tomio Okamura, who argued it could save about 50 billion CZK and cited similar systems in Germany, Poland and Hungary. Prime Minister Andrej Babiš, finance deputy minister Petr Mach and other coalition partners expressed support for the measures.

By 28 July, the debate had intensified. Babiš and Okamura formally proposed abolishing the ninth grade, emphasizing cost savings and earlier entry of pupils into the labour market. Plaga rejected the plan as short‑sighted, warning that the already under‑funded school system could not be judged solely on potential cuts. TOP 09 chairman Matěj Ondřej Havel criticised the proposal as a “nonsystemic slap” that would disadvantage students, a view echoed by President Petr Pavel, who called for improvements in disadvantaged areas. The coalition remains divided, with no final decision expected within the current term.