PPF Foundation and The Kellner Family Foundation Launch Czech Language Textbooks for Ukraine Project

This project funded through a CZK 100 million donation by the two foundations will help procure supplies including textbooks for primary and secondary schools, resources for teachers, Czech textbooks for adults, and an illustrated Czech-Ukrainian dictionary.

The project is the result of the intensive mapping of the educational and integrational needs of Ukrainian refugees in the Czech Republic as well discussions with The Ministry of Education and non-governmental organizations working with migrants (in particular Meta and the Cicops center for the integration of legal aliens and field workers). The analysis showed there is a severe lack readily available teaching materials and an unprecedented shortage of printing paper. In addition, the poll among traditional textbook publishers showed they were unwilling to reprint existing Czech as a second language textbooks designed for the Ukrainian community in the Czech Republic citing uncertainties about actual new demand. Our intent is to increase the availability of teaching materials and thus aid the integration of Ukrainian children into Czech society.

The www.UcebniceProUkrajinu.cz website launched on 1 June 2022 will serve as a platform for ordering textbooks and other teaching materials just like any other online store. However, unlike a conventional e-shop, the books will be supplied and delivered free of charge. Textbook orders placed via this website will result in the closing of a donation agreement between PPF Foundation and the recipient, who will only be allowed to use the materials for non-commercial purposes.

In total, the PPF Foundation and The Kellner Family Foundation will arrange for nearly 220,000 textbooks and other teaching materials to be printed and delivered free of charge to any school or teaching institution interested in receiving them. All textbooks and dictionaries will be printed and distributed before the 2022/2023 schoolyear begins. Some materials will be available as soon as they are ordered, with others gradually appearing over the summer holidays.

The following firms have volunteered their services for free:

• cz shopping portal provides call center services
• The MailStep warehousing and logistics operator is providing textbook storage and dispatching
• Shoptet developers have provided the e-shop interface
• Shipping provider PPL is set to deliver 10,000 parcels free of charge
• TV Nova is the project’s media partner.

Thanks to their generous involvement, the project will not incur any implementation costs and all funds can be geared towards the purchase of teaching materials.