Prague is facing an acute shortage of teachers, which officials describe as catastrophic. The Ministry of Education plans to increase student enrollment in pedagogical faculties to cope with the crisis.
Despite a decline in birth rates in the Czech Republic, the number of schoolchildren in Prague is expected to rise, with a forecasted increase of 24% by 2050. However, many schools are already experiencing a severe shortage of teachers, particularly in primary education, mathematics, and physics.
The shortage of qualified teachers is forcing schools to hire specialists without pedagogical education, which lowers the quality of education. The situation is further exacerbated by the low competitiveness of teachers’ salaries. In Prague, teachers are offered 1,300 euros per month, which is not comparable to salaries in other sectors.
The authorities are allocating additional funds to increase salaries. In 2025, teachers’ salaries will rise by 7%. Measures to improve conditions for young teachers, including housing assistance, are also being discussed. However, pedagogical faculties graduate about 2,200 students annually, while approximately 4,000 teachers retire each year. This is deepening the staffing crisis, which the Ministry of Education is trying to address.
