The city council of Prague’s Karlín district has approved changes to school catchment areas in a bid to address capacity challenges and ensure accessible and quality education for local children. The modifications were prompted by concerns over the overcrowding of Lyčkovo náměstí primary and nursery school, which led to a controversial random lottery for first-grade admissions earlier this year.

The changes involve redefining catchment areas for schools in the district. Eight streets will be removed from the catchment area of ZŠ and MŠ Lyčkovo náměstí, along with three lanes from ZŠ and MŠ Petra Strozziho. All eleven affected roads will now fall within the catchment area for ZŠ Palmovka.

This decision follows a petition from parents in Karlín, highlighting the need for a more accessible and continuous education system, allowing children to attend schools near their residence or their previous kindergarten or preparatory school.

The amendments to catchment areas will necessitate a revision of the binding decree of the City of Prague No. 1/2023 governing school catchment areas.

Earlier this year, Lyčkovo náměstí school faced criticism for implementing a lottery system to select first-grade students due to capacity constraints. The lottery was eventually revoked following parental pressure, with the school opening an additional first-grade class as a temporary solution.

These changes to catchment areas aim to alleviate overcrowding issues, creating a stable and reliable educational environment for students while preventing future property developments from exacerbating capacity problems. By addressing these challenges, the Karlín district is striving to ensure equitable access to education and uphold educational quality for its residents.

Article by Prague Forum