Palacky University in Olomouc and Charles University in Prague are facing the departure of academic staff, including key personnel, due to the long-term underfunding of education, according to statements made by their respective rectors, Martin Prochazka and Milena Kralickova. These revelations emerged after a meeting of the Czech Rectors Conference (CRC) where the chronic underfunding of universities was a central topic of discussion.

The rectors emphasized that they have taken several steps to address the salary disparities among academics, particularly in the humanities. These measures include reallocating funds and conducting assessments of the quality and quantity of teaching programs.

The CRC, in a resolution, called for the establishment of binding medium-term targets for funding growth and reinforced institutional funding for universities to alleviate the ongoing financial challenges they face.

Faculties of arts at both universities have planned a strike on October 17, aimed at drawing attention to the undignified wages and working conditions for teaching and other university staff. Academics have expressed frustration with the lack of prospects for improving their situation.

According to the draft state budget for the next year, universities are expected to receive CZK 30.9 billion in 2024, the same as this year, from a total education budget of CZK 269 billion. Critics argue that maintaining the current level of funding for higher education perpetuates the long-term underfunding of universities, a concern raised by the Hour of Truth initiative, which advocates for adequate funding of higher education and medium-term targets to reach the OECD average in terms of GDP spent on higher education.

Rector Kralickova noted that the brain drain is not limited to the Faculty of Arts but extends across the entire university system. Many educators are leaving for opportunities abroad or even for secondary schools due to uncompetitive salaries.

Both rectors could not confirm whether the planned strikes would garner support from their university management, stating that they need to review the demands of the trade unions first. Decisions regarding the strikes will be made by university management next week.

The Hour of Truth initiative, which represents teachers and students in the humanities and social sciences, has called for a one-hour token strike on October 17. Academics from faculties of arts at Palacky University in Olomouc and faculties of arts, theology, and humanities at Charles University in Prague plan to remain on strike for the entire day.

This strike has the potential to spread to other universities, as strike committees are forming in various Czech university towns. Public spending on tertiary education in the Czech Republic is significantly below the EU average, with critics citing the need for an additional CZK 11 billion in the higher education budget to address the underfunding issue.

Article by Prague Forum