LMP turns to ombudsman over changes in vocational education

Budapest (MTI) – The opposition LMP party will turn to the ombudsman for basic rights over the recent changes to Hungary’s vocational education system, the party’s lawmaker told a press conference on Monday.

The fast-paced changes introduced to the system, entailing a reduction in the number of general-education classes while increasing hands-on training, put the right to an education under duress and undermine legal certainty, István Ikotity said.

The number of physics, chemistry and biology lessons will be reduced by 400 on an annual basis at vocational high schools, which means that some pupils at the age of 14 will be cut off from access to a general education and the chance to continue into higher education, Ikotity said.

The changes could also entail staff layoffs, he added.

Also the reforms do not address the real reason for Hungary’s skills shortage, namely that “skilled workers have long left the country to seek jobs in the west”.

Source: MTI