OBESSU platform is growing

OBESSU would like to introduce our new Candidate organisation Česká středoškolská unie (CSU) from Czech Republic!

We asked CSU to answer a few questions to give everyone a picture of what they are doing and what CSU is.

Tell us a bit about CSU

Česká středoškolská unie (CSU) is the only organisation representing school students in the Czech Republic. At the beginning there was an idea to improve education and to stand for rights of school students and make them stronger than ever. We have to admit that we’ve been lucky with the expert community which welcomed us warmly and have always supported us, still today. So are we successful after all? We are doing very well and we keep going on. We are also glad that the Minister of Education met us and listened to our views on the education as well as a lot of Czech politics. So during the year that the CSU has been working we’ve achieved the attention of local authorities, expert community and politicians, all lending an ear to our opinions. Now we are on the international path. We are very happy to be a part of an organisation such as OBESSU. It’s a big honor and we believe that cooperation will be beneficial for both sides. I personally think CSU has a great potential to be an organisation working for a future and better education in the Czech Republic and abroad.

What are the main educational struggles of young people in Czech Republic?

We, in CSU, as well as lot of students in the Czech Republic think that our educational system is an old one and needs to be upgraded. There are several attempts by government to restart the educational system and improve it a bit. Nevertheless it is not enough and actually after all it’s not working. So that’s why here is CSU, representing and interpreting the voices of school students who are calling for change. A lot of politicians say there is no money for a better education, but it’s not about money, it is about belief for change. Among the main problems of Czech educational system we put an insufficient teaching of foreign languages, absence of self-governing student bodies in some schools, and an old educational system which was effective like never.

What is the motivation behind your interest to join OBESSU?

Once we heard about OBESSU we just couldn’t stop thinking about it. We were impressed that something this colossal exists and is working so well. We believe in cooperation which will bring some new ideas and thoughts to the both sides.  We also feel that we need to be a part something big where we can meet new people standing for a better education just like us. We would like to learn something new from all of you and to know different views on things connected with education. That is why we were so interested in joining OBESSU.

Anything you look forward to or expect to about the upcoming joint initiatives with OBESSU?

I think this question corresponds with the previous question, so that is my answer. Anyway we are expecting we get to know some new advices on how education should be led. We believe there are a great bunch of people in OBESSU, so we are hoping for making new friendships.

Replies by Robert Květoň, Member of Presidium, CSU