Brexit will not jeopardize Erasmus program, says Czech Education Minister

Prague, Jan 16 (CTK) – Britain’s departure from the EU will not affect the functioning of the Erasmus program for foreign studies and fellowships this year, the Czech Education Ministry said today.

The British government has agreed with EU countries on the program continuing without any changes until December.

This was announced after the British House of Commons rejected a proposal to continue with the cooperation within Erasmus between 2021 and 2027.

However, the British government has made it clear that it wants to insist on participation in the program in future years, too, the ministry said.

Erasmus organises foreign stays of university students. In 2014, it was changed to include further programs.

The current, widened, program Erasmus Plus, which ends this year, sponsors the education of secondary school students and stints of expert workers and athletes. Britain is one of its most popular destinations.

“The cooperation between EU countries and Britain is to continue without changes this year,” the Education Ministry said.

“This year, too, educational institutions in Britain can ask for financial support for their projects,” it added.

“In the same way, Czech organisations can have partnership organisations from Britain join their own projects,” the ministry said.

Last academic year alone, almost 560 Czech university students left for Britain.

“According to the latest data, there are over 200 students in Britain within Erasmus+ at the beginning of this year. The number will be similar eventually to that in 2018/2019, because the current academic year within Erasmus is only halfway through and the students will only leave for the spring term of 2020,” ministerial spokeswoman Aneta Lednova said.

By contrast, roughly 300 British students came to the Czech Republic last year. At present, there are roughly 160 of them, but the number is to rise to the same level as a year ago, Lednova said.