Demonstrations, events planned to protest higher education reform plans

Student representatives have announced they will hold a week of demonstrations beginning on Monday of next week to protest the government’s planned reforms of the higher education system. Members of the student body of the Academic Senate made the announcement on Monday, saying that 18 schools from eight cities and towns would take part. Next Wednesday will see a planned march to the seat of the government from Prague’s Palach Square, as well as public discussions throughout the week. Demonstrators want to pressure the government not to approve two bills, one regulating tuitions and student loans, the other introducing a new leadership body – which critics fear will open the door for greater influence by the private sector, negatively impacting academic freedoms.

Author: Jan Velinger