Petra Buzková Minister of Education, Youth and Sports In 2002, the Honorable Petra Buzková was appointed to the post of Minister of Education, Youth and Sport of the Czech Republic. Born in 1965 in Prague, Dr. Buzková earned a doctoral degree from the Faculty of Law at Charles University in 1989. Upon reaching this goal, she became actively involved in the renewal of the Social Democratic Party and chaired their Women’s Organization until 1992 when she was elected to the Czech National Council, where she is currently still a member. Prior to her current position, Buzková served as Vice-Chair of Deputies in the Czech Parliament.

Higher quality of education through the curriculum reform and evaluation procedures

At present, the main objective of education policy is to ensure that all pupils at basic and upper secondary schools achieve high quality education. Recently the Czech Republic managed to provide for full participation of young people in various branches of upper secondary education. Following an extensive debate with teachers and the general public and on the basis of the new Education Act, the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport will issue new framework curricula. In addition to modernised and traditional subject matter, the curricula will place emphasis on the development of learning, practical, personal and social competences both in individual subjects and as part of cross-curricular theme areas, such as education for democratic citizenship, multicultural and environmental education. Special emphasis will be placed on training in foreign languages and ICT. Framework curricula for vocational education and training will pursue a better adjustment of the educational process to changing labour market needs. In the circumstances of increased legal, financial and professional autonomy teaching staffs have the right to develop, in line with the framework curricula, their own school-based curricula that meet the school’s specific conditions. Schools are stimulated to carry out self-evaluation on a larger scale to increase the quality of their operations.

All the changes currently in progress in the Czech educational system as well as those planned have one common objective, which is to increase the quality of education. Our efforts to promote integration and curtail selectiveness in the Czech education system point in the same direction.

We must seek to ensure that every child has a good opportunity of progressing as high as possible in the education system – i.e. as his/her capacities, talents and hard work will allow. In this pursuit the child must not be constrained either by the family’s educational deficit, its social status, or its absolute failure to perform. Equality of opportunities is an important starting point particularly for children, and it is school that must ensure it. It goes alongside with other fundamental function of school, which is to ensure education of high quality for all.

There are two major principles we want and must observe in enhancing the quality of education. Firstly, there is a clear and indisputable humanist imperative in the development of human individuality. This in itself is such a challenge that we should feel obliged to clear away all obstacles that hinder us from bringing it to life. Then there is the second principle. At the beginning of the 21st century we cannot afford to waste human resources. Human resources must be used in a rational manner and their effects on society must be maximised. After all, the global economy does not allow any other possibility. “Learn as much as you can. Develop your talents.” This is a challenge all young people must face. Our duty is to ensure that this challenge may be taken to heart and accepted by all those for whom good education is designed.