education

Justice minister Varga: central Europe cannot receive as much energy from the West as it needs

varga

Dependence on energy sources should be swapped for diversification, the Hungarian justice minister said on Tuesday, adding that the Hungarian government will support any European Union proposal aimed at ensuring diversity of supplies.

Judit Varga, speaking ahead of a meeting of EU affairs ministers in Luxembourg, said that the government, however, would not back any proposal that may compromise supply security.

“Now that Europe is facing a general recession, it’s important that energy and economic issues should be addressed at the highest level and on a basis of common sense,” Varga said. She said dialogue was needed, while

“ideological fights should be allowed no room as they would jeopardise the competitiveness and the economy of the European Union.”

She said diversification was an inevitable goal, but it required new pipelines because “central Europe cannot receive as much energy from the West as it needs”. “It is important that Europe should have at least 4-6 offers by various energy suppliers on its table,” Varga said.

Danubius Hotel Hungaria
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“We want to see such quotes rather than anything that jeopardises energy security,” she added.

Concerning Hungary’s commitments taken to ensure access to the EU’s recovery funds, Varga said that talks with the European Commission were “progressing”. It is important, she said, that EU members states had also expressed their confidence in Hungary, adding that the government was bent on delivering on its commitments.

Varga said the issue of raising the salaries of Hungarian teachers was on the agenda of the talks. “If the opposition also fights for the successful outcome of the talks, education salaries can be raised by 21 percent on January 1,” she said.

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PHOTOS: students, teachers, parents demonstrated for a better education

Student protest Budapest education

A demonstration organised by students was held for public education and teachers in front of the interior ministry in Budapest on Friday evening.

The participants at the demonstration organised by the “Students for Teachers” Facebook group demanded immediate wage increases as a solution to the shortage of teachers. They also demanded professional autonomy for teachers, teaching material that is “teachable and learnable”, “liveable schools” and a genuine dialogue about public education.

Student protest Budapest education
Photo: Szilárd Koszticsák/MTI

Demonstrators gathered at Heroes’ Square and made their way along Andrassy Boulevard and Jozsef Attila Street to the Hungarian Academy of Sciences and the ministry at Szechenyi Square. They carried a banner reading “We are with our teachers” at the front. Student speakers at the square insisted that “education is a national issue”, saying they were proud of their teachers who stood up for the cause of education.

Budapest traffic changes
Read alsoStreets to be closed, traffic to change in Budapest!
Student protest Budapest education
Photo: Szilárd Koszticsák/MTI

“These teachers teach us what is missing most in Hungary today: courage”. They criticised school district leaders for “sacking” or threatening with such a reprimand teachers who participate in an act of civil disobedience, and burned copies of dismissal letters.

Student protest Budapest education
Photo: Szilárd Koszticsák/MTI

Many of the demonstrators carried Hungarian and EU flags and flags symbolising chequered shirts, an outfit that has become associated with teacher demonstrations. They held up banners reading “To strike is a fundamental right”.

Teachers' protest on Budapest's Kossuth square in front of the parliament
Read alsoHungarian teachers’ unions call for appointing commissioner for education

KTK: ‘Left hindering pay hike for teachers’

The government is committed to further increasing salaries for teachers, while “it is the leftist parties that are hindering” its efforts, the government’s information centre (KTK) said in a statement on Friday.
Reacting to strike actions and demonstrations staged by teachers nationwide on Friday, the KTK underlined the government’s commitment to enacting “unprecedented pay hikes” as soon as the government agrees with the European Union on unlocking funding.

According to the statement, the government aims to raise teachers’ average salaries to 80 percent of the average of professionals in Hungary by 2025. The KTK added that teachers’ salaries could increase by 21 percent next year, 25 percent in 2024, and they could be 29-30 percent higher than their current wages in 2025.

Representatives of the leftist parties, however, “keep on working in Brussels to prevent Hungary from receiving the funds it is entitled to,” the statement said, adding that “a higher increase than earlier planned” could be financed from those monies.

Concerning the strikes, the KTK said that “legally organised strikes are a form of legitimate expression with no consequences”, adding that teachers “participating in a legal strike action” would face no penalties. Despite what leftist parties claim, the statement said, “there are no mass dismissals whatever” and “so far only 5 teachers who have repeatedly participated in illegal strikes have been dismissed.”

PHOTOS: Budapest to host biggest education abroad fair in October!

Education abroad fair

“Days of International Education” is the biggest education abroad fair in Europe, organized twice a year in the Baltic States (Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia), in Poland and since March 2022, in Budapest, Hungary. The organizer of the large-scale event is Baltic Council for International Education – an education abroad agency with 28 years of experience and over 1000 partner institutions all over the world. Each year, around 50 educational institutions represent themselves at the fair, which attracts thousands of visitors.

The first event in Budapest took place in the conference hall of Crowne Plaza Hotel earlier this year and attracted more than 2000 visitors, who had the unique opportunity to meet the representatives of educational institutions and to get first-hand information about universities, secondary schools, language camps and courses abroad. The next fair is going to be on the 29th of October in Crowne Plaza Hotel with about 50 institutions from abroad.

Studying abroad is becoming more and more popular especially among high-school students, who are eager to learn about opportunities to continue their studies at a university or a college abroad after obtaining their high school diploma in Hungary. Spending a few years abroad as a university student is of course an experience for a lifetime with plenty of opportunities to develop academically and personally, discover new places and building connections with people from all over the world. It also gives you the chance to improve your foreign language knowledge, broaden your horizons, and to become self-confident and independent. Last but not least, an international diploma is an indisputable benefit later as well.

Semmelweis University Budapest Hungary
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Education abroad fair
Photo:
Baltic Council Hungary

The most popular study destinations among Hungarian students are the Scandinavian countries (Denmark, Finland and Sweden), the Netherlands and the UK, however, students are also interested in studying in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, Belgium, and even Canada or the US. Education in the Scandinavian countries is not only free for all EU citizens, but also innovative and practical, which makes it attractive to international students. Similarly, university programs in the Netherlands are also very good-quality and practice-oriented with teachers who have real-life experience in the field they teach.

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Education abroad fair
Photo:
Baltic Council Hungary

More than 2000 English-taught programs are available in the Netherlands, including special courses, which might not even exist in other countries. Even after Brexit, the UK still remains quite a liked destination among students, since British universities are acknowledged world-wide, and have their hundreds of years of tradition behind. German-speaking countries are also among the top study destinations of students in Hungary, especially among those who come from German-Hungarian bilingual classes. Apart from European countries, the American and Canadian colleges are gaining popularity as well.

Education abroad fair
Photo:
Baltic Council Hungary

On the 29th of October at the Days of International Education around 50 educational institutions are going to be present from all around the world. Universities and business schools from the Netherland, Finland, Belgium, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, France, Italy, the UK, Canada and the US are going to represent themselves. Participants will have the unique opportunity to meet the representatives of the institutions personally, and find out information directly from school they are interested in. Apart from study programs, people who register for the event can also get informed about the application process, scholarships, housing, loans and employment. Prestigious secondary schools from the US, the UK and Italy will also be represented, informing students and parents about their programs during the academic year and the summer.

Younger children and adults can also find something for themselves: the organizer of the event, Baltic Council also offers several summer programs for kids and teenagers, and language course for adults. Two presentations are also going to take place as part of the event: at 11:00 “Study in Europe”, and at 13:00 “Study in the Netherlands”. Just to mention a few examples, Howest University (Belgium), Fontys University (the Netherlands), Rosenheim Technical University (Germany), Bocconi University (Italy), Durham College (Canada), Centria University (Finland) will be present. The full list of participants can be seen at website of Baltic Council: www.balticcouncil.org/hu. Anyone who is interested in studying abroad is welcome at the fair on the 29th of October (Saturday) in the conference room of Crowne Plaza Hotel Budapest (1062 Váci út 1-3.). The event is free; however, visitors are kindly asked to register previously at the following link: https://forms.gle/GuD4wcCXHV3X8LRr6.

Streets to be closed, traffic to change in Budapest!

Budapest traffic changes

Hungarian teachers will again go to the streets of Budapest to demonstrate against the low wages and unbearable working conditions in the schools. They will be joined by many students and parents, as happened last week and the week before. It seems that their chain of protests will not end anytime soon, so the government needs to act quickly.

Public traffic to change in Budapest

According to 444.hu, due to the demonstration of the teachers, police will close the Heroes’ Square-Andrássy Avenue-József Attila Street-Széchenyi István Square for the public. The measure affects not only cars but also public transport, the news website added. Teachers, students and parents will protest for a better education system and higher salaries.

Based on a recent statement from the Budapest Transport Company, there will be periodic closures on the segments concerned. During that time, buses and trolleys will commute on a diverted course. However, there might be disruptions in the operation of the M3 metro, trams 4-6, and bus lines 9, 15 and 115.

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Read alsoA Polish man wrote HELP with his blood on a Hungarian train — VIDEO

Teachers do not give up easily 

Hungarian teachers have been demonstrating against their unbearable working conditions and low salaries for weeks. A beginner teacher earns a net salary lower than EUR 500 per month, and even pedagogues with 20-30-40 years of experience on the field barely receive 1,000 EUR/month. Therefore, many teachers leave their profession, while the number of new entrants drastically falls. As a result, many Hungarians schools struggle hard to find, for example, a teacher of foreign languages, IT, chemistry, physics or maths.

The government states that Hungarian teachers may only receive a pay rise if Hungary unlocks the EU funds blocked because of the European Commission’s corruption charges against the government. Gergely Gulyás promised a considerable wage hike yesterday. However, that programme would only start next year, and teachers claim they do not have that much time to wait when the inflation and the currency exchange rate of the euro are soaring at a such fast rate.

teacher demonstration
Read alsoDemonstration held at Parliament in solidarity with teachers

School stabbing in Budapest: victim taken to hospital

A high school student attacked a classmate with a knife in Budapest, the injured was taken to hospital – the Budapest Police Headquarters said on Monday on police.hu. The Budapest Economic Vocational Training Centre (BGSZC) Hunfalvy János Bilingual Teaching Language School of Economics – where the stabbing happened – said in a statement that the stabbed boy suffered injuries that would heal within 8 days.

The police did not name the institution, saying only that the crime took place at a secondary school in the 1st district at around 9.20 a.m. on Monday.

The injured was taken to hospital by paramedics and the knifeman was arrested at the scene.

The Budapest Police Headquarters has opened an investigation into attempted assault causing bodily harm, and the alleged perpetrator is being held accountable, they said.

According to a statement sent to MTI by the BGSZC, “there was no previous history of the incident”.

The injured student suffered injuries that healed within 8 days. The police are investigating the case, and the headmaster of the institution informed the staff and students of the incident at a school meeting. The school where the stabbing took place has informed the school that a school psychologist is available to help the pupils if necessary.

According to the Blikk, the student stabbed his classmate during a break and the victim was seriously injured in the neck.

A police car is currently stationed outside the school in Ponty Street, and we will update this article as soon as we have any new information on the case.

As we wrote a few days earlier, Hungary has seen yet another horrible event three days ago: after an argument, a middle-aged man stabbed and set fire to his friend. Shocking details HERE.

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Expat mums share their experiences living in Hungary II

Expat mums share their experiences living in Hungary II

If you are reading this, you are most likely an expat mum. Even though there is a multitude of positive aspects to living abroad, it does come with its challenges. Sometimes it can help to read stories of other expat mums on how they dealt with the initial difficulties when they moved to Hungary. While you are here, don’t forget to check out the first part of this series! 

Claudia (38) – Germany

I relocated to Hungary 6 years ago when my husband got transferred here for his job. Both of my two children were born in Budapest. The first birth was pretty depressing and stressful. The doctor was not around much, the birth nurse was cold and clinical and they brought in medical students without even asking! But in that hospital, they were lovely with the new mothers and babies. The second time was better because I paid a nice nurse to be with me throughout the birth. However, the women in the nursery looking after the babies were horrible to the new mothers. Both hospitals had dirty showers and bathrooms with no toilet paper. I had a miscarriage in a third hospital and it was awful – no one came when I was bleeding heavily even though I rang the bell several times. I ended up staggering around the corridor looking for a nurse who then told me off! Doctors are generally nice here but the support staff is horrible.

The lack of English speakers in the country made it very hard to find babysitters, deal with nurseries, etc. I had to learn Hungarian fast to cope, which was not easy as I had to juggle family life and my start-up business. I struggled to find friends with the same mindset and interests. Here, most mothers set mediocre goals, they lack the drive and ambition to achieve more career-wise. They believe they made it in life once they got married and had a couple of children – at least, that was my impression having talked with some of them in public playgrounds. 

Our children haven’t reached the age yet to attend school. The kindergarten we found is Ok-ish though, in terms of staff, extra activities, trips, building and services. However, I don’t like the fact of how little attention they pay to the kids’ diets. Fattening foods with little nutritional value, too many sweets and poor variety. I don’t have experience of being in another country as a parent so it’s hard for me to say much regarding pros and cons but surely maternity leave length and all tax benefits are helpful. 

I didn’t find the local community very helpful. We mostly have expat friends we’ve met through my husband’s job. Personally, I haven’t experienced any racism but I’ve seen Roma people being treated differently in public places.

Read more: Here is how the government supports families

Saloni (45) – India

We relocated with my whole family to Hungary. I already had my two sons at that time, therefore,  have no experience with maternity hospitals. We don’t earn that much to afford international private institutes, therefore, it was tough to find schools that fit our needs and to settle our bilingual children into a solely Hungarian-speaking environment. I also struggled myself feeling socially isolated. Hungarians are kind of reserved and often keep to themselves. You would assume that after many years working at the same company, your colleagues invite you for a coffee every now and then after work, but instead everyone just rushes home barely saying goodbye once the office hours are over. 

We have mixed experience with primary schools, it depends very much on the class teacher. We were lucky that ours were nice, but the kids still did not enjoy it. Schools are traditional, with very little time to socialise or interact. Over-assessment and lots of tests are common. The curriculum is fixed by the government and they choose the books. There is very little room for freedom or creativity. Luckily, our kids adapted well enough to this old-fashioned education model. However, pity that most of the people employed in the educational sector do not speak proper English.

Sometimes people, mainly elderly women, on the bus in my district make comments when they hear us speaking English with my sons. We were quite shocked each time it happened. My older son had some trouble feeling different from other kids as no one else was bilingual in his class but he was also doing ballet, for which he was ridiculed. One of my younger son’s teachers said that kids like my son who speak two languages can’t speak either of them properly. This was in a bilingual school!! Some teachers tried to downgrade my sons’ English and critique them often, seemingly to get the upper hand. Amazing that an English teacher would be jealous of a kid!

Elodie (26) – France

I came to study in Hungary when I was 18 and I met my partner at the university. Later on, I started working as a French teacher and we decided to stay here to be close to my mother-in-law. 

I had been several times to Hungarian public hospitals but  I can’t say they were good experiences due to communication problems. That is why we bought maternity care and birth packages in a private hospital. The staff speak English well, treat patients better, they’re kinder, hospitals are cleaner, no queues ( because you should make an appointment beforehand). But the service fee is too expensive, and if any problem occurs they would send the patient to public hospitals. Also, in case of any emergency, they direct you to a public hospital. Private hospitals can’t take pregnant women into labor before 36 weeks of pregnancy. Personal experience: during my pregnancy, I got severe pain, we went to the private hospital where I was supposed to give birth later on. They couldn’t find the reason. My gynecologist advised me to go directly to a public hospital. We went to Péterfy Sándor Hospital, where they eventually found the cause of the pain. 

Living in Hungary has both negative and positive aspects. My daughter has a food allergy and we really struggled to find alternative food, especially when we take a trip to the countryside. There are not many low-floor BKK vehicles while stairs are everywhere (metro, shops…). It makes transportation difficult with a buggy. On a positive note, the environment is safe and there are many playgrounds in my neighbourhood. 

I’ve made two Hungarian friends at the park but we don’t really keep in touch. I also met a French friend who has a two-year-old son and was expecting his second baby at the same time I was. We’ve really bonded over the past year. It’s not necessarily easy to make Hungarian friends as they don’t speak English and learning Hungarian, when you are a busy mom, is quite difficult but I am trying. I haven’t really faced any discrimination while living here. The closest is that sometimes people have strong reactions to us speaking French or English, but those are more often positive or silly than negative.

Read more: Hungary is the 2nd best country to go on parental leave!

 

Hungarian opposition demands reemployment of teachers dismissed in wake of protests

All “illegitimately dismissed” teachers should be reemployed without delay, opposition Democratic Coalition shadow prime minister Klára Dobrev told an online press conference on Friday.

Dobrev also demanded that teachers’ strike rights should be restored and that those rights should be governed by “straightforward” rules. Dobrev called Wednesday’s protests staged by striking teachers and students “uplifting”, adding that her party was preparing an education strategy.

Balázs Barkóczi, the party’s shadow education minister, called for a pay rise for teachers and said education could not work well without well-paid teachers.

Olga Kálmán, spokesperson of DK’s shadow cabinet, asked if the party supported European Union sanctions on energy, said the Hungarian government had voted for those sanctions. The government’s communications condemning the sanctions against Russia “are therefore meaningless”, she added.

orbán prague demonstrators boo
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Hungarian teachers’ unions call for appointing commissioner for education

Teachers' protest on Budapest's Kossuth square in front of the parliament

Teachers’ trade unions PSZ and PDSZ have called for a meeting of their joint strike committee next week, and called on the prime minister to appoint a commissioner for education, in an open letter on Friday.

In their letter, the unions said “the government declines talks with unions referring to a pending European Commission decision concerning funds to cover a pay hike (for teachers)” but added that the government could start giving teachers a substantial raise immediately, from the central budget. They also said they refused the argument that “the Left and Brussels are hindering a pay hike in education”.

The unions called on Viktor Orbán to “appoint a commissioner without delay who has expertise in all areas of education and who is not associated with recent fiascos” to be a partner in talks on structural changes in education, managing a shortage of teachers, reducing the burden on teachers, a review of the national curriculum, and modernisation of the education system in general. Addressing those issues must not be further delayed, the unions added.

Budapest traffic changes
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18 degrees in schools and dormitories? Győr has a solution

School Hungary

The head of communications of the National Conference of Student Self-Governments said that they had been in talks with the ministry on the matter of heating public dormitories. It is also plausible that state dormitories may have to close down. However, the city of Győr has a solution to the problem.

18 degrees Celsius in state schools and dormitories

Universities are trying to find ways to save money. Overheads will increase significantly. Marcell Budai, head of communications for the National Conference of Student Self-Government (HŐOK), says that their demands had already been made to the ministry.

The closure of colleges is not considered acceptable, either during the examination period or during the academic term. Some institutions are planning a prolonged winter break so that the examination period on campus would end earlier while the spring semester would start later. On the other hand, universities consider scheduling a break between the two periods. However, this could only work with the cooperation of students.

“Unfortunately, there are students who live in the dormitories and have nowhere else to go, or much worse,” said Budai. For others, their livelihoods are threatened because their jobs are tied to the university town.

The HŐOK statement protests against the 18-degree heating limit. Budai says the ministry did not object to it. The limit only applies to state-run dormitories. Based on student feedback, Marcell Budai said that 18 degrees were not that tragic in university lecture halls. Even though the temperature limit does not affect the quality of education, sitting all day in barely heated lecture halls is not healthy, infostart.hu reports.

Lillafüred_Hunguest Hotel Palota_winter
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Győr has a solution

The energy crisis is also causing problems in Győr. There were plans to move several schools into one building or to introduce afternoon classes. However, Győr has finally adopted a different solution. The local thermal water system, which was previously out of use for 19 years, has been put into operation. It is already heating the Bercsényi School in Győr.

The Bercsényi School has nearly 1,000 students. Thanks to the above-mentioned practice, education can continue as usual. Two other schools will also be reorganised. The radiators have been already working as a result of the revived thermal water system.  Imre Kovacsics, Director of Rába Quelle, said that under Bercsényi’s leadership, they had worked together to find ways to breathe life into the cut wells and pipe systems. The trial run, financed by Rába Quelle, was a success, index.hu reports.

Teacher demonstration Budapest bridge (1)
Read alsoVIDEO: teachers, students occupied the Margaret Bridge in Budapest – UPDATED

Demonstration held at Parliament in solidarity with teachers

teacher demonstration

Supporters of the Tanítanék (I want to teach) and noÁr movements held a demonstration and concert in front of Parliament on Wednesday night to “save education and the future of youth” and to show solidarity with teachers demanding higher pay and strike rights.

Tanítanék founder Kata Törley called the government “arrogant and incapable of dialogue” and warned that an increasing shortage of teachers was threatening collapse and “bury all, teachers, parents, students, and children”. She insisted problems in education could not be resolved without restoring teachers’ strike rights and instant measures to improve teachers’ working conditions and grant them a payrise.

Teacher demonstration Budapest bridge
Read alsoVIDEO: teachers to occupy a Budapest bridge, traffic may collapse afternoon

Áron Molnár, founder of the noÁr movement, said the event was aimed at starting a strike fund for teachers.

Roma activist László Glonczi said strike was a fundamental right and called for joint action to demand a payrise for teachers and the freedom of expression.

Olivér Pilz, a Tanítanék co-founder, urged all trade unions to call a general strike to support teachers.

Participants held up signs including “No teachers, no future” and chanted “Free country! Free education!”

Teacher demonstration Budapest bridge (1)
Read alsoVIDEO: teachers, students occupied the Margaret Bridge in Budapest – UPDATED

VIDEO: teachers, students occupied the Margaret Bridge in Budapest – UPDATED

Teacher demonstration Budapest bridge (1)

Today is World Teachers’ Day, so the two main Hungarian trade unions, the PDSZ and the PSZ organised a demonstration for higher wages and a reduction of workload for today in Budapest. Students, teachers, parents and grandparents formed a live-chain for better education this morning in numerous places in Budapest. An hour ago they occupied the Margaret Bridge, one of the traffic hubs of the capital.

Budapest’s mayor, Gergely Karácsony, said earlier that he was on the side of the Hungarian teachers, so the capital’s community support officers would not interfere with the protesters. The question is what the police will do.

Here is a video:

Below you may read what the teachers would like to achieve with their protest and civil disobedience:

  • immediate and significant payrise (starting from 50 percent)
  • workload reduction
  • free choice of schoolbooks
  • changes regarding the National Curriculum.
  • independent ministry for education
  • renewal of some school buildings

Here you can read more about the background of today’s demonstration:

Teacher demonstration Budapest bridge
Read alsoVIDEO: teachers to occupy a Budapest bridge, traffic may collapse afternoon

UPDATE

Protesting students blocked central Budapest’s Margaret Bridge from traffic on Wednesday afternoon.
The demonstrators expressed support for striking teachers and a speaker called on participants to “recapture the hope and future together”. Participants chanted the slogan “no future without teachers” and held up a sign

“We stand by our teachers”.

Others held up the national colours, Szekler and Roma flags, as well as the flag of teachers’ trade union PDSZ. “Who is going to teach tomorrow?” the protesters wrote on a poster placed on the railing. The demonstrators occupied Jászai Mari Square and the eastern half of the bridge.

UPDATE: Unions express solidarity with teacher strike

Several trade unions voiced their solidarity with a nationwide strike organised by teachers’ union PDSZ across the country on Wednesday. Speaking in front of a Budapest primary school, Erzsebet Boross, the head of public servants’ union MKKSZ, expressed her union’s support for a demand for a 20 percent pay rise offsetting inflation to be paid retroactively from July 1. She voiced opposition to changes to occupational health and safety rules as well as the rule requiring state institutions to limit their heating to 18 degrees Celsius, MTI said.

Boross said the union demanded a right to strike that ensured fair wages and talks where the sides were considered equals. “We’ve had enough of public servants being condescended to and the fact that there are no consultations about working and living conditions or wage talks,” Boross said. She added that MKKSZ expected the government to treat public servants “as people . not as those on whom it can save money”.

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Read alsoHungarian universities must save money: 18°C inside, dormitories close

László Nagy, head of the strike committee at Budapest’s Kölcsey Ferenc Secondary School, said that although he was one of the 45 teachers at the school who were participating in today’s strike, he was still required by law to teach four of his six classes.

“This is not a strike. It’s impossible to stage a strike like this,” he said. “A strike can’t be sustained if it can’t be seen.”

PDSZ national board head Anna Komjáthy said that some 13,000-14,000 teachers from more than 200 schools had been projected to take part in Wednesday’s strike. She said PDSZ has called another strike for Oct. 14, noting that it was on this day a year ago when PDSZ presented its demands jointly with fellow teacher union PSZ. István Taskovics, head of social security workers’ union TBDSZ, criticised the decision to suspend the regulation requiring an indoor temperature range of 20-22 degrees Celsius for workers.

DK: Hungarian teachers were fired unlawfully

Gyurcsány Democratic Coalition

The opposition Democratic Coalition (DK) said on Wednesday that teachers who had been “unlawfully fired” must be given their jobs back.

Referring to nationwide protests, party spokesman Balázs Barkóczi called it “marvellous that thousands of teachers and students protest against the general state of public education and humiliating wages”. He told an online press conference that it was an “important lesson to the Orbán regime” that protest and strike could not be banned, and “free people cannot be intimidated or silenced”.

Barkóczi, who holds the position of education and culture minister in the party’s shadow cabinet, said it was time that the government admitted it had “lost” against teachers and “lost control of the country”. He called on the govenrment to start talks with teachers’ unions.

Ferenc Gyurcsány Democratic Coalition DK
Read also Gyurcsány’s DK: Orbán’s government wants to steal the EU funds

VIDEO: teachers to occupy a Budapest bridge, traffic may collapse afternoon

Teacher demonstration Budapest bridge

One of the Hungarian teachers’ unions announced a national strike for 5 October because of the high burdens and low salaries. The demonstration concerns kindergarten, elementary and secondary school teachers, and even some universities have joined the call. The Democratic Trade Union of Teachers (PDSZ) asked all teachers not to work today but to provide the minimum service prescribed by the law. PDSZ will submit their complaints with another teachers’ trade union (PSZ) in the afternoon to the Office of the Commissioner for Fundamental Rights. Furthermore, they plan to occupy a Budapest bridge at 5 PM.

Despite the double-digit inflation Hungary is struggling with, the soaring utility, food, etc. prices and the economic crisis, the Hungarian teachers have not received a wage hike for months. Meanwhile, many companies decided to increase wages during the summer because of the changing economic circumstances. Teacher salaries are between a gross of EUR 480 and EUR 989 based on the number of years a teacher spends in the public education system and the category they are in. A beginner bus driver in Budapest receives an almost EUR 1,000 net salary.

Therefore, teachers have been fighting for a payrise for months, but with little success. Furthermore, they aim for a workload reduction, free choice of schoolbooks, and changes regarding the National Curriculum. Moreover, they would like an independent ministry for education and the renewal of some school buildings, index.hu said.

The two main trade unions (PDSZ and PSZ) formed a joint strike committee one year ago. They have been negotiating with the Human Resources Ministry for one year, but without success. As a result, they launched a warning strike on 31 January and a strike on 16 March. That lasted until the general elections, but the two trade unions said they would continue in September.

House Speaker László Kövér
Read alsoOrbán failed to solve the teachers’ situation in 12 years, now the House Speaker is asking for more time

Today is the World Teachers’ Day. That is why they decided to organise a nationwide strike for today. The next one of such will be on 14 October.

The laws prescribe that teachers must provide service even during their strikes. Many criticise that rule saying that it makes it almost impossible to show strength and place the government under pressure. Therefore, they attacked it on the Constitutional Court of Hungary. They claim that the strike was a basic right. Gergely Gulyás, the prime minister’s chief of staff, said on a regular government briefing that, in Germany, teachers do not even have the right to go on strike, while, in Hungary, they do.

nke_winter
Read alsoHungarian universities must save money: 18°C inside, dormitories close

The government claims they would like to increase the salaries of the teachers. However, they cannot do so until Hungary receives the EU funds denied because of the rule of law and infringement procedure launched against the country due to corruption. Although the government is always positive about the future of the negotiations with the European Commission, the Brussels-based body did not issue any optimistic statements on the issue. Experts say that the Hungarian forint, for example, would need one to stabilise its exchange rate.

Meanwhile, the local educational authorities fired multiple teachers who decided not to hold their classes on 2-3 workdays in September out of civil disobedience. As a result, teaching became impossible in many “elite” secondary schools in Budapest.

Today, there was a live-chain student and teacher protest in Budapest. Here is a video: Furthermore, at 5 PM, teachers, students, parents and grandparents are expected to block the Margaret Bridge until 7 PM. They want to show the government that the situation of public education in Hungary is unbearable. Since the Margaret Bridge is one of the most crowded overpasses, Budapest’s traffic will probably turn upside down this afternoon.

HERE you can read more about the event.

Orbán failed to solve the teachers’ situation in 12 years, now the House Speaker is asking for more time

House Speaker László Kövér

Teachers need a wage hike, but the situation of teachers and public education must be treated as long-term strategic issues, Speaker of Parliament László Kövér has said, adding that strike action was not the solution.

Fidesz has been in government under Viktor Orbán for 12 years, but in that long time it has failed to do anything about the humiliating salaries of teachers. There is now growing resistance from teachers in Hungary, as the Government is trying to silence them by force, so teachers who criticise or strike are fired and intimidated.

There is a huge teacher shortage in Hungary, with thousands of teachers currently missing from schools. Few people apply to become teachers because of the harsh conditions, and many leave the profession, as even cleaners and factory workers are paid more than the people who will raise the future generation of Hungarians.

Speaker: Teachers could not put the law aside and launch a movement of civil disobedience

Commenting on protests in secondary schools nationwide, Kövér told commercial HirTv late on Monday that teachers could not “put the law aside and launch a movement of civil disobedience — a concept which does not exist in Hungarian law — to the detriment of our children.”

Teachers’ wages must be raised as they are not proportionate to the work and responsibility they shoulder, Kövér said in the interview.

The state of public education, including the wages, is key to the future of children, and requires strategic decisions for the long term, he said. At the same time, “wages are not connected to the quality of education in the short term, as decent-minded teachers do not make their performance dependent on their wages,” he added. The speaker presumably speaks lightly, as Kövér brings home a gross monthly salary of EUR 8,500, which would pay the monthly salaries of 10 low-paid teachers.

The situation of teachers was among the Fidesz-led government’s first concerns after coming to power in 2010, Kövér said. The private and public sectors have since engaged in a spiral of “wage competition” and teachers were left behind, he said. “No one disputes that disparity,” he said, adding that the question now concerned how the government can achieve change “that satisfies everyone” according to which timeframe, he said.

Short-term solutions cannot be expected, and the “government is trying to remedy the anomalies resulting from this degree of wage disparity with stopgap solutions insofar as its means allow,” Kövér said.

On another topic, Kövér said the shadow cabinet set up by Democratic Coalition MEP Klára Dobrev was a “message to other opposition parties that cooperation was over”. At the same time, “the wife of [DK leader] Ferenc Gyurcsany can’t say anything new to ruling parties”. Gyurcsány will not get another stab at government “in view of the sins he has committed in the past”, Kövér said.

Regarding European sanctions policy, Kövér said that the EU’s leading elites should “become pro-Europe again”. “We are not pro-Russia or Russia-friendly; we are Hungarians and pro-Hungary, and focus on the interests of our own nation,” he said.

“The European elite’s disregard for Europe’s most fundamental needs — as it is ruining Europe — poses worrying and serious questions. Until we have an answer to that, we can’t expect changes to the EU’s view of us,” he said.

Kövér said that currently Hungary represented the interests of Europe as well as Hungary.

Kövér said political leadership of the EU had failed to consider the “potential of the opponent or enemy that they are facing”, adding that they were therefore unfit for the job.

Kövér said

the real war in Ukraine was not between Russia and Ukraine but between Russia and the US, and “the introduction to a conflict that could be waged between China and the US-led West if we are not very careful.”

Their aim, he said, was to “erect a political and economic Iron Curtain between Russia and Europe so that no one can dream of creating a peaceful, balanced economic area based on mutual respect.”

Regarding changes to the special legal order — emergency powers — in Hungary, Kövér said that a proposal by Fidesz group leader Mate Kocsis aimed to add a deadline to the government’s mandate to govern by decree. Under current legislation, parliament must withdraw the special mandate it had granted. The new regulation would have the special mandate expire automatically after 180 days, he said. “This does not restrict the rights of the opposition or parliament, which would continue to exercise its rights of control,” he said.

Expat mums share their experiences living in Hungary

Expat mums share their experiences living in Hungary

We have asked our readers about various aspects of parenting as an expat in Hungary and they were kind enough to give us a thorough inside. Here are three stories from expat mums living in Hungary on their initial struggles moving here, experiences with the local health care system and general view on education. We have also touched on the topics of racism, dealing with a language barrier and creating a social circle. 

Barbara (39) – Colombia

“I’ve been living in Hungary for almost 10 years now. I met the love of my life back in my hometown, Cartagena. After a few months of a long-distance relationship and several visits to Budapest, I decided to extend my vacation for a lifetime. Once we found out that we were expecting, 8 years ago, we decided to do the entire journey with the public system and opted for Szent János Kórház (Saint John Hospital) in the 12th district. And I couldn’t wish for a more fantastic experience! Even though I had a high-risk pregnancy, I kept my calm throughout the whole time thanks to the lovely and professional nurses. I even made a lifelong friend in one of the Spanish-speaking doctors. I was treated with great care and respect even at the time of the two false labour alarms. I had a nice labour room with a jacuzzi, a well-equipped bathroom, a sound system and a pilates ball; overall it was very calming. I communicated with the staff members either in English or by using sign language plus Google translator. 

What I like about Hungary is that it’s a very safe, green and family-oriented country. We didn’t have to go broke to give birth in a pricey private hospital nor sell all our belongings just to make ends meet with a baby. You can go all around the city with a stroller as the pavement is in good condition. I’m still trying to find cons. So far, I have no personal experience with the education system as my son is currently home-schooled. 

When it comes to socializing, I have a huge need for it. I consider myself lucky as I’ve got a big circle of friends who support me at all times. I did try to reach out to expat mums though as my Hungarian friends have older children. I’ve managed to find some Brazilian mums and we regularly organise playdates. 

If you ask whether we have ever experienced racism in Hungary, I can give you a mixed answer. My son has luckily never been the subject of bullying, however, as I have brownish skin I’m often taken for a gypsy. Nevertheless, I can’t judge the entire nation just for some idiots. Most Hungarians tend to be super nice to me.”

Read more: The 5 biggest culture shocks our expat readers faced in Hungary

Sophie (45) – United States

“I moved to Hungary because my husband is Hungarian-American and we wanted our kids to speak Hungarian. Plus, there are things I like better about living here compared to the US. We also opted for Hungary because education is much cheaper here than back in the States. 

We have three kids and our youngest daughter was born in Budapest. I picked an English-speaking doctor who had one of the lowest C-section rates and was pro-natural birth. Same for the midwife, both of them were lovely and listened to all my wishes. My issue was that I gave birth during the toughest part of the pandemic so I found myself alone with the baby for 3 days at the hospital and the nurses didn’t speak English so I hated my stay. I felt very lonely and abandoned by the staff. There’s a lot of room for improvement in terms of warmth and hospitality. I also wanted to speak to a lactation consultant while there but there was no one available. 

Talking about initial struggles.. Well, finding the right kindergarten and school took a lot of research. We’ve opted for private education and have been very happy with our choices. I’ve heard that traditional Hungarian kindergarten makes all kids take a nap during the day, which would’ve meant my youngest would’ve been up half the night as she dropped her naps early. Also, Hungarian kids don’t really have long school days until they’re older, which must be really difficult for working parents to navigate. 

There is a crazy bureaucracy with government paperwork and the staff is often unfriendly. I also had to get used to accepting the more limited and lower-quality food options. The public medical system is just sheer awful. 

I do love that Hungarians are so family-friendly, much more so than in the US. Even at the airport, you feel looked after when you have small children. On the other hand, I dislike being judged for not wrapping my children up in hats, scarves, snowsuits and/or 14 layers of wool as soon as the temperature drops below 57°F (14°C). I miss certain opportunities that are widely available in the States but come at such a premium here, such as sports activities like swimming and gymnastics. 

We have a mixed circle, both local and expat friends. As long as my kids were dressed to their approval the community was welcoming. I haven’t experienced racism. A lot of things are harder to navigate as a non-Hungarian who doesn’t speak the language well, and I occasionally feel some dislike, but not to the level of discrimination. I’m white so, I guess, they just take me for a Hungarian, at first.”

 

Yashma (32) – Pakistan 

“My husband and I moved here 7 years ago. I gave birth in a public hospital that was really in need of renovation. The medical personnel was attentive but didn’t speak much English. What is it like living in Hungary with a child? For pros, I would say that it feels like there’s reasonable cultural respect for having a family, in terms of attitudes from people when I was pregnant / am out with my daughter. People always offered a seat on public transport when seeing my belly. Another positive thing to mention is that children are still children here, and aren’t old before their time. As for cons, as we are non-EU citizens, we have to pay a huge amount of money for a baby TAJ card (the Hungarian health insurance card). Even if you visit a private doctor quite often, still it seems a cheaper option compared to the TAJ card fee. Without a TAJ number, you don’t get government support.  Of course, even when going to the district doctor for the monthly healthcare checks or vaccinations, we pay.

After 5 long years living in Budapest, now I can say that I have a steady local circle. Before kindergarten, it was mainly international. Facebook expat groups can be also helpful to meet like-minded people and other mums who have kids of similar age. 

As a Muslim mother who wears a hijab, I wouldn’t say I have experienced something nasty since I have been living here. I do get some stares from time to time on the tram 4/6. The only thing that bothers me though is the locals’ general unwillingness to make an effort when I encounter a language barrier. It happens mostly when I have to deal with public services such as Kormányablak, tax authority, etc. I believe for 3rd country nationals, these things are even more complicated, especially as all the official documents have to be translated into Hungarian. Also, for example, I was not allowed/approved to take a loan because I am not a citizen nor do I have permanent residence. However, I understand the merits of why they are not allowing it – or why it takes so many layers of approval.”

Read more: What do foreigners really think of Hungary?

Hungarian universities must save money: 18°C inside, dormitories close

nke_winter

It is no surprise that many Hungarian universities had to find out something to save money on energy. At first, nobody thought that the situation will become this severe. Underfunded universities have already made announcements on money-saving. However, the real shock came when the University of Public Service also announced its own saving techniques.

The fact that the University of Public Service has to save money on energy is especially shocking because it is a top-priority institution for the government. By now, it is well-known that the autumn break will be postponed to December as an extension of the winter break. Facilities can hold autumn breaks at their own expense, but they have to make up for it. According to Telex.hu, there will be frugality measures put in place for the winter months.

From the middle of December, all dormitories will be closed for two months, except for two. All of the buildings will be closed from 19 December until 9 January, except for one building. Every building including the dormitories can only be heated up to eighteen degrees celsius, except for infirmaries. The swimming pools will be closed too from 19 December until the end of January. Remote examinations will be held instead of on-ground examinations. The most drastic measure of all is that if it is necessary, the spring semester might start remotely.

But this is not all

The Occzy Park will not be illuminated between 8 PM and 6 AM and the university campus’ floodlight will also be turned off after 9 PM. There will be no lighting for sports fields either. The water will not be hot, but only lukewarm and hand dryers will be disconnected. Every second lightbulb and the fluorescent lamp will be unscrewed. Any kind of external heating system will be banned from the campus and only with the permission of the rector can they be brought in. The fencing hall, the Ludovika Education Centre, the Tópart Building and the shooting range will be all closed. And it will not be allowed to endlessly use fuel cards as from now on, there will be a HUF 40,000 (EUR 95) limit on them.

Not an isolated case

The state regulations apply to all the state-financed institutions too. Eighteen degrees will be the maximum temperature inside buildings, but there are no plans for remote learning so far. Remote examinations and grades based on participation during the semester will be widespread. Most universities plan on saving money by closing windows and using energy more efficiently, but no drastic measures have been implemented, reports Eduline.hu.

Meanwhile, at other foundational schools the budget management is much more flexible. For example, the Corvinus University of Budapest is able to finance one-time support for the employees of the university. However, time will tell how all higher education institutions will be able to adapt to these new conditions.

katalin novák president usa roller skates school
Read alsoThe Hungarian President rolled into her former school in America on roller skates

The Hungarian President rolled into her former school in America on roller skates

katalin novák president usa roller skates school

Katalin Novák went to the high school in the US where she studied at the age of 15 on roller skates. The President briefly attended a school in Los Angeles back in the day.

Katalin Novák addressed the UN General Assembly in New York on 21 September and has been in the United States since then, szeretlekmagyarorszag.hu reports. She participated in the UN Forum for Women Heads of State and Government, and has also held talks with the UN Secretary-General, the Director-General of the World Health Organisation and the President of the World Jewish Congress.

Shortly afterwards, she also visited the US-Mexico border, where she discussed the migration situation. In San Diego, she awarded the Hungarian Order of Merit’s Central Cross to 95-year-old writer and Holocaust survivor Edit Éva Éger.

The President then went to Los Angeles, where she gave lectures at universities on the experience of Hungarian family support measures, met Hungarian scholars and leaders of local Jewish communities, and attended the family day of the Hungarian Reformed community.

Once in Los Angeles, she put on roller skates and rolled to the high school where she studied briefly at the age of 15. Her visit was captured on video which you can watch below:

Gulyás Gergely government
Read alsoCabinet briefing: the Hungarian government announced new decisions

Corvinus University of Budapest – the goal is the World’s TOP 100

Takáts Előd Corvinus

It is no secret that the Corvinus University of Budapest is aiming to become one of the TOP 100 universities in the world. But how realistic is that and how much time will it take to reach the magical 100th place? In this insider, we will take a look into the inner workings of Corvinus from the perspective of a former student.

The Corvinus University of Budapest is one of the most renowned higher education institutions in the country. With the goals set at the TOP 100 universities, one might be wondering, how realistic are these plans? Corvinus is among the best universities in Hungary with a relatively low number of students, at least compared to other larger universities. Although it has a Social Science Department, the main focus always was and still is on Economics and Business. In the latter field, Corvinus is still basically unrivalled in the country and it is very well-known internationally too.

The University

The university currently provides a wide range of economics and business-related and a fewer number of social science faculties. However, even the social sciences have a strong focus on economics as this is the main profile of the university. From my experience, I can safely say that education at Corvinus is more practice-oriented. While theory plays a crucial role, it is much more important that students can apply the gathered knowledge in the field. When I switched to my master’s programme at another university, I realised that the methodological, research and theoretical knowledge I received, proved to be very useful in other fields too.

Smaller faculties provide a better chance for interaction with the professors but generally speaking it is easy to get in touch with them. This provides a really good atmosphere where diligent students have a better chance for further development. There are a large number of extra-curricular activities too, like language learning, travelling and career opportunities at famous firms and students are also proactive. On the university’s website, it is stated that as of now 50 student organisations operate there. These organisations specialise in literally everything like economics, diplomacy, politics and even arts.

Corvinus also provides some faculties that are not available at other institutions in the country. Some programmes are even listed among the best in the world. So in some ways, Corvinus is already among the TOP 100.

The model change

Most of the problems at the university arise from the transitional period that it is currently in. There are many hindrances, and as Corvinus is trying to become a business school it is noticeable that social sciences have taken a back seat — reports hvg.hu. Eduline.hu reported that there are increasing tensions mostly because of this transformation and some tutors even left the university. The model change is a success and the first achievements are already visible — said Anthony Radev, the president of the university in an interview with Portofolio.hu. But he also acknowledged that some do not like what is happening.

Corvinus is trying to become a leading institution in Central Europe by 2030. Most of the courses are already only offered in English. Overall, it is visible that the university is developing, but the TOP 100 is still far away. Corvinus is definitely changing drastically. Whether it is for the better or the worse, we will have to wait and see. But even with all the negatives, the university has been still slowly trending upwards.

university, students, graduate
Read alsoAnother Hungarian university changes its curriculum due to high costs!