PM: reform of education system essential

Prime Minister Petr Nečas said on Friday a reform of the education system was essential for the country to remain competitive and would be implemented, despite protests from the academic community. Addressing a conference of rectors the prime minister said that one could not forever revise planned reforms and that action was long overdue. He stressed that the reforms made would not infringe on academic freedoms or threaten the autonomy of universities. In reference to the most controversial part of the planned reform –the introduction of tuition fees – Education Minister Josef Dobeš said he would once again consult the matter with the finance minister.