“Education descending into ruins” – Hungarian teachers refuse to take mandatory jab

According to a recent survey, nearly 19% of unvaccinated teachers do not intend to take the mandatory vaccine. These educators will be sent on unpaid leave from 1st January and may be dismissed a year later if they do not get the vaccine until then. According to experts, this will result in huge problems in the operation of Hungarian educational institutions, based on the fact that there are schools where only 40% of the teachers are vaccinated.

Based on a government decree issued last week, vaccination has become mandatory for teachers working in public educational institutions. Those who have previously been vaccinated must prove their vaccination to the head of the institution, while those who do not comply with this requirement will be sent on unpaid leave at the end of this year and may be dismissed a year later if they do not get the vaccine until then. As Hungarian news portal 24.hu reports, educators must get the first vaccine by 15th December.

The new regulation has caused outrage among Hungarian educators. Based on a recent survey carried out by the Democratic Union of Teachers,

almost 19% of unvaccinated teachers do not intend to take the vaccine.

According to the head of the union, these educators will look for other jobs if they are sent on unpaid leave. Based on the data of the internal survey, so far, 8,732 teachers have been affected by the new regulation, and almost 19% of them – 1,637 – will not take the mandatory vaccine, reports 24.hu.

According to the head of the union, huge problems can be expected in the operation of certain educational institutions if they cannot employ unvaccinated teachers.

These educators will look for other jobs if they are sent on unpaid leave because they cannot afford to drop out of work and be without social security.

Accordingly, people’s livelihoods are at stake. Secondly, those who remain in the institution will need to face extra work in order to provide the smooth operation of educational institutions.

Peaceful demonstration in Mohács

Regarding these concerns, a peaceful demonstration was organised in Mohács on Wednesday evening. The educators protested against compulsory vaccination. According to one of the organisers,

there is a school in the area where 40% of educators have not been vaccinated against the coronavirus.

If they are sent on unpaid leave, the institution will get into serious trouble, while “education is slowly descending into ruins,” commented the organiser to Eduline.

According to a participant, they are also afraid of the virus, but even more afraid of the possible side effects of the vaccine. “We believe in science, as we all want to pass on the knowledge of science to our students. We acknowledge the work of doctors and researchers. However, we believe that this vaccine was made available too early. Therefore, it should be available for those who demand it but not mandatory for those who still have questions.” In addition to the possible side effects of the vaccine, Hungarian educators are afraid of the ”inhuman amount of overtime” that can be expected by those who remain employed.

According to the Ministry of Human Resources (EMMI), vaccination in schools is close to 90%, and the new regulation will not cause operational problems. However, professional organisations think that the problem is greater than this, as vaccination varies from region to region. There are certain institutions where the proportion of vaccinated educators is only 50-60%.

Source: 24.hu; eduline.hu