Praha wants to invest four billion CZK in primary schools in the next decade

Prague – Prague should invest at least four billion crowns into the development of primary education over the next ten years. This year, 700 million crowns is allocated in the Prague budget for expanding the capacities of kindergartens and primary schools, with the city either giving the money to city districts or investing it itself. This was stated by the city's education councilor Vít Šimral during the opening of the extension of the Chodov Primary School.

The councilor explained that each year the city hall distributes 500 million crowns to city districts for investments, of which about 300 million crowns have already been allocated for school projects this year. An additional 400 million crowns forms a separate item in the city budget for expanding primary school capacities, including projects such as the already started construction of a primary school in Šeberov or the planned school in Kolovraty. According to Šimral, the city also wants to provide Prague 9 with funds for the ongoing construction of the U Elektry primary school or to build a school in Čakovice.

In light of demographic forecasts, the city hall plans to continue investing in increasing the capacities of both primary and kindergarten schools. This week, Šimral told reporters that an analysis related to anticipated investments in this area for the coming years is expected to be published in the autumn. Based on the needs of city districts, the city will identify at least five priority areas where schools should begin construction within two years. Long-term plans include the construction of ten schools, but the city must also consider finances.

For example, the extension of the Chodov Primary School that was opened today cost Prague 11 187 million crowns, of which 40 million was obtained from the ending European operational program Prague – growth pole, and 100 million was a zero-interest loan from the city hall, a quarter of which the city has already forgiven to the municipality. Mayor Zdeněk Hřib (Pirates) said today that although the city hall managed to negotiate a replacement instead of the original European program intended for the capital, the conditions are less favorable.

Other city districts are also working on increasing the number of places for students in schools. The capacity of the Emy Destinnové Primary School and the Svobody Square Primary School in Prague 6 will increase by 240 places thanks to attic constructions. Eight new classes will open at the Na Balabence Primary School in Prague 9. Starting this year, a completely new school, U Elektry, is also being built in the ninth city district, which is designed for about 783 children. The new school being built in Šeberov will have 14 classes, a gymnasium, and an outdoor playground.

The Prague city hall operates secondary, higher vocational, special, language, and basic art schools, while kindergartens and primary schools fall under the responsibility of city districts. According to the Ministry of Education's registry, there are 400 kindergartens, 292 primary schools, and 188 secondary schools in Prague.