Few university students, long studies, and weak results. Universities need change, says Prokop

Czech higher education faces challenges such as low graduation rates, long study durations, and inadequate university quality, according to sociologist Daniel Prokop. He highlights that only 29% of Czechs aged 25-64 hold a university degree, significantly below the OECD average of 43%. Many students do not complete their studies, contributing to a shortage of qualified graduates. Prokop advocates for reforms to shorten professional programs and improve university standards. He notes that the current academic autonomy allows for political influence in university leadership, which can hinder accountability and quality. A new higher education law is being prepared by Minister Robert Plaga to address these issues.