Czech news in brief for July 20: Monday's top afternoon headlines

Good afternoon, the government today held its penultimate cabinet meeting before the summer break, with two bigg-ish announcements set to impact the very young and the very old. Meanwhile, President Pavel was in Ostrava to talk about the importance of culture in our fragmented societies, and some Prague public transport news. Here's this afternoon's wrap-up.

The government backed a proposal to ban the use of mobile phone in Czech schools, Prime Minister Andrej Babiš announced after today's cabinet meeting. The new measure, which has been at the center of heated debates in recent months, will apply in kindergartens and elementary schools, most likely from September 2027.

What will change? Until now, individual schools could decide whether or not to ban mobile phones, either during classes or breaks. The new ban applies to schools across the board, and forbids pupils from using their phone including in between classes, except in extraordinary cases (like for health reasons). It doesn't apply, however, to secondary schools, universities or vocational schools.

In an exclusive interview for Czech Radio recorded at the Colours of Ostrava festival, President Petr Pavel praised the importance of culture and festivals - like the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival, Colours of Ostrava or Pohoda in neighboring Slovakia - as key to fostering political dialogue and social cohesion.

Musical bliss. "They allow people with different opinions to come together in one place and enjoy something together. Especially today, in a partially divided society, I think that is extraordinarily important," Pavel said, in particular highlighting the communal spirit he experienced at a recent Iron Maiden concert.

The government today approved changes to the pension system, increasing the pensions for working pensioners and for people over the age of 80. "The changes have a clear goal: to reward those who want to remain active after retirement, better support seniors at a very advanced age, and at the same time simplify how the entire system functions," Labor and Social Affairs Minister Aleš Juchelka said.

How much are we talking about? People over the age of 80 years old will see their pension increase by CZK 500 every five years starting in 2027, and working pensioners should see their pension rise from 2028.

Traffic on the metro line C between Florenc and Pražského povstání was temporarily halted for about 45 minutes today after an incoming train collided with an empty baby stroller that fell on the tracks. A replacement bus service was briefly running along the route in question.

Meanwhile, escalator malfunction briefly restricted access to the Staroměstská metro station on line A this morning.

A single ride on the new Petřín cable cars will cost CZK 100 after the route's reopening in September, up from CZK 60 today, Prague councilors said today after approving the new tariff. Those purchasing the ticket digitally via the Lítačka application will pay just CZK 90. The change will only affect individual tickets, and won't apply to holders of long-term Prague public transport passes, which will remain valid for the funicular.