Education Ministry changes structure, met with criticism

The Education, Science, Research and Sport Ministry is changing its organisational structure. According to Education Minister Martina Lubyová, the aim is to secure an effective operation, boost its analyst department and reduce clerical staff. As part of the process, the ministry is merging two separate institutes into one body, one concerning life-long education and the other education policies. This move has thus officially closed the Education Policy Institute, an analyst branch of the Value for Money project at the Finance Ministry, which proposed several, mainly financial reforms, within the education system. According to analysts, as well as the parliamentary opposition, such a move is not wise. On the other hand, the Education Minister says she wants to create a larger analytical body within the ministry.