In the heart of Europe, a quiet revolution is taking place in the classroom. As the digital landscape shifts and AI reshapes the global workforce, the Czech Republic is making a bold statement: essential skills are no longer ‘extras’- they are the foundation of a modern education.

Through our close collaboration with our Lead Partner, Schola Empirica, Skills Builder Global is proud to support the systemic shift toward skills-based learning across Czechia.

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Why the Czech Republic is prioritising essential skills

The urgency for change is driven by a clear reality: rapid technological change requires a workforce that is adaptable, communicative, and creative. This isn’t just a trend; it is national policy.

The Czech government’s Strategy 2030+ explicitly highlights the need for "transversal competencies." As the country undergoes significant Curricular Reform, the focus is shifting away from rote memorisation toward a more holistic, skills-centered approach. This makes the implementation of the Skills Builder Universal Framework both timely and essential.

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A year of momentum: Major Achievements

Our partnership with Schola Empirica has reached new heights over the past 12 months, influencing both the classroom and national policy.

1. Bridging the gap between policy and practice

To demonstrate the Universal Framework in action, we hosted a high-level study visit to flagship Skills Builder schools in London. This delegation included key stakeholders from the Ministry of Education, the Czech School Inspection (ČŠI), and the National Pedagogical Institute. Supported by the BLÍŽKSOBĚ Foundation, this visit sparked direct dialogue on how to integrate these methods into the Czech national inspection criteria.

2. Empowering the educators of tomorrow

Schola Empirica is embedding essential skills into the very beginning of a teacher’s career. By partnering with pedagogical faculties at leading universities in Prague and Brno, and engaging with the Community of Future Teacher Educators, they are ensuring the next generation of teachers enters the workforce with the tools to teach essential skills effectively.

3. From Primary to Vocational (VET)

The numbers speak to the growing appetite for this work:

• The Accelerator Programme: Last year, 18 schools, 262 teachers, and over 4,000 pupils were engaged. This year, Schola Empirica have expanded their reach to 28 schools across the region.
• Vocational Focus: In 2025, Schola Empirica trained the first cohort of 20 teachers from 11 Vocational Education and Training (VET) schools. With newly secured funding, they are planning to launch a three-year pilot specifically designed for the VET sector.

4. Pioneering Research

Schola Empirica is currently developing a longitudinal research design to track essential skill development. This landmark study aims to fill a critical data gap in the Czech Republic, providing evidence-based insights into how these skills evolve throughout a student’s schooling.

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The real-world impact: voices from the classroom

The most profound changes aren't found in policy documents, but in the shift in school culture. Teachers report a surge in self-efficacy, and students are becoming more articulate about their own learning journeys.

"The Skills Builder methodology is an inspiring framework, easy to apply in the classroom... it helps students acknowledge and respect the opinions and values of others."

- Vanda Rybánská, Teacher

"I view it as a practical 'cookbook' for daily use. I see the benefit not only in my professional practice but also in my own personal development."

- Jana Josífková, Primary Teacher

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Looking ahead: scaling for national change

The vision at Schola Empirica for the future is twofold: deep implementation and national scale.

• Diversification: To continue to expand the VET pilot and seek international cooperation to broaden our impact across secondary education.

• Mainstreaming: By continuing our work with the Czech School Inspection and the National Pedagogical Institute, Schola Empirica aim to ensure that the Skills Builder approach isn’t just an "opt-in" for a few schools, but a core component of the national curriculum for every child in Czechia.

The journey is just beginning, and the impact is already being felt. Together with Schola Empirica, we are building a future where everyone can build the essential skills to thrive.