The Innovation Equation: Why Education Is Key to Czech Prosperity
I moved to the Czech Republic for many reasons: an affordable education, great public transportation, and the beauty of Prague. However, one thing that never crossed my mind was Czech innovation. While the Czech Republic boasts modern luxuries that other developed countries have, the country isn’t known for transformative inventions or a creative mentality. If the Czech Republic hopes to grow its economy it must build technological expertise through educational reform to ensure its market competitiveness in a shifting world, and to reframe its national image.
As an American living in Prague, I see a clear difference in the mindset about innovation. In the United States I often heard success stories about inventors and entrepreneurs, and was encouraged to come up with bright, new ideas. In the Czech Republic I feel that this push towards innovation, particularly in schools, is missing. When I ask the children I nanny for if they did anything new or exciting at school they always answer with a resounding no. If the Czech Republic wishes to grow its economy, which it claims is a primary goal, then it must focus first and foremost on supporting education and entrepreneurship, particularly in science and technology. Fields such as AI and sustainable technology are the future, and the Czech Republic can harness expertise in these, if it can solve some deep-rooted issues within its education system first.
When asked, 70% of Czech students said they would change the Czech education system by including more critical thinking in their lessons, a similar number of students stated there is a lack of focus on current events (Czaban, 2022). These numbers display clearly why the Czech Republic lacks innovative ideas; students aren’t adequately prepared for an evolving world. When I compare the experiences of Czech students to my own in the United States there is a stark difference. I remember numerous lessons throughout my life where my peers and I were told to create, invent, and problem solve. During my time in the American school system I created solar powered robots, learned to code games, and participated in multiple tech fairs. We often discussed the application of our learning to current issues and rarely were graded on memorization or repetition. The Czech Republic on the other hand has neglected to create the necessary adjustments to build interest and excitement around education.
The United States isn’t the only country which the Czech Republic falls behind in creative education practices. In comparison to other EU countries such as Germany and Belgium the Czech education system fell behind as well. In a ranking of EU countries, the Czech Republic ranked 17 on innovation potential, and 23rd in the share of young people with tertiary education degrees (Prosperity Index, 2023). This is a clear reflection of the outdated educational model. Germany, for example, fosters innovation and an interest in learning through STEM competitions and research initiatives throughout educational careers, and coincidentally the country ranks 4th in innovation potential (Prosperity Index, 2023). The United States similarly promotes healthy competition in schools to get students excited about learning.
I don’t think I’m alone in saying that I much prefer the creative, problem-solving based approach to education that the United States and Germany boast. This approach is particularly valuable for graduates and students like me today who are increasingly struggling to find careers. Having an adaptable, innovative mindset is necessary to succeed in the job market, and the Czech Republic is doing a disservice to itself and its students by denying them that. Education is the basis of the future, including the economy, so it’s no surprise that countries like the United States and Germany, which promote creative learning approaches, perform much better than the Czech Republic, and are hubs of immigration for scientists rather than sites of brain drain.
If the Czech Republic could change how young people view and receive education, they could foster the mindset needed to grow their economy and become a leader in new technologies. The Czech Republic boasts a strong, stable economy, now the country must shift gears to maintain its economic strength. This means adopting a new system of education. The Czech Republic has all the necessary models and tools to reform education and create economic growth, these strategies must now be executed.
Sources:
Czech Republic The Country for the Future. (2019). New Innovation Strategy of the Czech Republic 2019–2030. [online] Available at:
European Commission. (2024). Germany: Skills for Innovation. [online] Available at: https://national-policies.eacea.ec.europa.eu/youthwiki/chapters/germany/67-skills-for-innovation
International Trade Administration. (2024). Czech Republic Country Commercial Guide. [online] Available at: https://www.trade.gov/country-commercial-guides/czech-republic-digital-economy#:~:text=Czechia%20is%20a%20significant%20player,%2C%20cybersecurity%2C%20and%20artificial%20intelligence.
Ministry of Industry and Trade. (2024). A vision for the development of the Czech economy. [online] Available at: https://mpo.gov.cz/en/guidepost/for-the-media/press-releases/-a-vision-for-the-development-of-the-czech-economy–government-approved-new-economic-strategy-of-the-czech-republic–283626
Ministry of Industry and Trade. (2024). Czechia as a technological leader. [online] Available at: https://mpo.gov.cz/en/guidepost/for-the-media/press-releases/czechia-as-a-technological-leader–government-approved-the-national-strategy-for-artificial-intelligence-of-the-czech-republic-2030–282278
Radio Prague International. (2013). Fighting fear of science key to stopping sci-tech brain drain. [online] Available at: https://english.radio.cz/fighting-fear-science-key-stopping-sci-tech-brain-drain-8542731
OECD. (2025). Czechia must ensure fiscal sustainability and boost skills, innovation and business dynamism to drive growth, says OECD. [online] Available at: https://www.oecd.org/en/about/news/press-releases/2025/03/czechia-must-ensure-fiscal-sustainability-and-boost-skills-innovation-and-business-dynamism-to-drive-growth-says-oecd.html
Prosperity Index. (2023). The Prosperity Index 2023. [online] Available at: https://www.indexprosperity.cz/en/2024/the-prosperity-index-2023/
Tom Czaban. (2022). What Is Wrong With The Czech Education System? [online] Available at: https://tomczaban.com/2022/02/czech-education-system/