Commission Report (2002): Czech Republic

• Progress since the last Regular Report
• Overall assessment
• Conclusion

Chapter 18: Education and training

Progress since the last Regular Report

Further progress has been made in this field.

During the reference period, the Czech Republic has continued to participate in the Community programmes in this area (see section A.b -- Relations between the European Union and the Czech Republic). Due to the increasing popularity of the Youth Programme, the Czech Republic has decided to devote approximately 330 000 EUR to additional funding for the projects selected.

The provisions concerning alignment with the acquis on the education of children of migrant workers were adopted in May 2002. As of the date of accession, children of migrant workers who are EU nationals will have free access to pre-school and elementary school education.

As regards the reforms in the education and vocational training system, decentralisation has progressed, with regional authorities assuming control over secondary school property and the development of the secondary school system as well as over the financial framework for schools. The municipalities are responsible for these issues in primary education.

In April 2002, the Government adopted a long-term strategy on Education, which sets the strategic objectives for the years 2003 -- 2006.

Overall assessment

The Czech Republic has gradually increased its involvement in Community programmes. The administrative and absorption capacity for these programmes is now well established and the Czech Republic's participation in the Community programmes is successful.

Legislative alignment with the acquis on education of children of migrant workers is well advanced.

Conclusion

In its 1997 Opinion, the Commission concluded that no major problems were expected in the perspective of accession, in the field of education and training; the Commission expected the Czech higher education and vocational training system to meet the Community standards in the medium term. The Commission also underlined that the participation of the Czech Republic in Community programmes would have positive effects and represented a good preparation for integration.

Since the 1997 Opinion, the Czech Republic has made steady progress over the years, in particular as regards participation in Community programmes. Overall, the Czech Republic has achieved a good level of alignment and administrative capacity is satisfactory.

Negotiations on this chapter have been provisionally closed. The Czech Republic has not requested any transitional arrangements in this area. The Czech Republic is generally meeting the commitments it has made in the accession negotiations in this field.

In order to complete preparations for membership, the Czech Republic's efforts now need to focus on preparing the practical implementation of the newly adopted provisions for the education of children of migrant workers upon accession.

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