PRAGUE — Thousands of students rallied Wednesday in the Czech capital and other major cities to protest government reforms they claim would limit academic freedoms.
Students and universities fear the new plans would give politicians more power over their operations and are upset over a proposal to charge students tuition fees for the first time at state colleges.
Students gathered at a downtown square in Prague with plans to march through the city to the seat of government to urge the Cabinet to reject the proposed changes.
"These changes are bad," Miroslav Jasurek, a students leader, told the crowd. "Universities are not a toy in the hands of politicians," he said.
Prime Minister Petr Necas said Wednesday he was ready to discuss with universities and students the proposed changes.
The plans would replace an academic oversight board of professors and students with new panels, which could include politicians and businessmen. The government says the reforms are necessary to increase educational standards and secure more funding.
Rallies were also planned in other major Czech cities as part of weeklong protests.
President Vaclav Klaus condemned the student actions. "A deep and thorough reform of universities is absolutely necessary and every sensible person knows that," Klaus said.
The students argued they were not against the reforms in principle.
"We’re all for a reform that would improve the quality of universities," Jasurek said.
