October 23 demonstration for education: here are the demands

Budapest, 23 October 2022. Participants of the solidarity demonstration for teachers organised by the ADOM Student Movement and the Democratic Trade Union of Teachers (PDSZ) at the Technological University of Budapest, 23 October 2022. MTI/Szilárd Koszticsák

It’s been just over a week since the last big protest for education in Budapest. There, it was announced that another demonstration would be organised on 23 October.

Students and teachers are protesting about the state of education and the extremely low salaries of teachers. Yesterday, the protesters started their rally at Kálvin Square at 4 PM and continued their march towards the University of Technology, Portfolio reported.

Yesterday’s demonstration was organised by the ADOM Student Movement and the Democratic Trade Union of Teachers (Pedagógusok Demokratikus Szakszervezete, PDSZ). The protest started at 4 PM at Kálvin Square under the title “Solidarity demonstration for our teachers”. “So many people have RSVP’d to our event that we had to choose a bigger, more symbolic venue,” they wrote on Facebook, after nearly 20,000 people showed interest in the event.

Budapest, 23 October 2022.
Participants of the solidarity demonstration for teachers organised by the ADOM Student Movement and the Democratic Trade Union of Teachers (PDSZ) march on the Liberty Bridge, Budapest, 23 October 2022.
MTI/Szilárd Koszticsák

The protests intensified after five teachers from Kölcsey Ferenc High School were fired for taking part in civil disobedience actions and threatened other teachers with dismissal if they took part in such actions. Yesterday, the teachers’ union said it would again demand that the government immediately raise teachers’ salaries, settle the wages of teaching assistants, technical staff and vocational training staff, and make vocational training part of public education again.

Belmondo performed at the demonstration, followed by a number of speeches, and then a performance by the band Carson Coma.

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Demands were also made by the United Student Front:

A solution to the teacher shortage!
Usable learning material!
More livable conditions in schools!
Give back the right to strike!
Pay attention to education!

The Democratic Trade Union of Teachers is also demanding the reinstatement of teachers sacked for civil disobedience, the return of the right to strike, and an independent Ministry of Education alongside pay rises.

Erzsébet Nagy, a representative of the PDSZ, said that now they are fighting not only for higher teacher salaries and a reduction in teacher workload, but also against illegal employer measures. These are attempts to suppress discontent, she added. She drew attention to the fact that teachers are leaving the teaching profession one by one, and as a result the shortage of teachers has become unmanageable.

“Everyone can see this, but the government is not lifting a finger,” she said.

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Source: Portfolio, 24.hu

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1 Comment

Deplorable : says:

24/10/2022 at 09:47

Government INVESTMENT into Education.
This has just been IGNORED, pushed aside given NO priority – by this present Orban led “Dictatorial” Government of Hungary.

Hungary we are a “Supposed “Democracy, which we KNOW is not FACT.
No stronger GLOBAL message of that FACT – is the opinion of the European Union on the Orban styled dictatorial manner, he and his government, enforce on the citizens of Hungary.

Educators know, this present Government under Prime Minister – Victor Orban, likened to Media and the Judiciary want to RUN all the componentry of Education in Hungary.

The Wants and NEEDS – of Education, because of Neglect and Arrogance that originate through a Government, that have been totally IRROSPONSIBLE in their position to Education, giving it NO prioritization, and NO investment, parts of numerous reasons, that sees Education – it the cataclysmic MESS – in Hungary it is to-day.

Public Health – Public Hospitals – likened to EDUCATION, operating along lines STILL in the Public sector, to a 3rd World country.

Education opens Windows of OPPPORTUNITIES.

Investment by this present Government, its “on hold” position with FUTURE funding by the European Union, all bought on through a Government, that “used and abused” arrangements of EU funding and is answering for its WRONGFULNESS.

The Hungarian Government, then have the GULL, to say to Educators/Education, in Hungary – we have NO money for pay rises DUE to the European Union “suspending” our Funding, that hopefully, if funding is seen, will be in 2025.

Educators – promises over the past (2) years in Hungary possible longer under this Orban led Government, we have been PROMISED wage/salary increases.
Educators/Education – we have Used & Abused, by this Orban Government.

Education, the billions of forints needed to be INVESTED into Education, across all componentry in Hungary, will not come from this present Orban led Government of Hungary.
Orban & his Government simple DON”T have money to INVEST – through an Economy, nearing a state of collapse.

Educators/Education – what is our FUTURE in this Education “suffocating” system?

We know as Educators it’s a Vocation, but not a life nor a career, that is undertaken, without a fair and reasonable wage/salary renumeration.

Those in training as Educators, and those THINKING of being Educators, still in Senior School or “other” places of learning – the SERIOUS question, in close examination of conscience – needs asking – what is my FUTURE as an Educator or making a career in Academia in Hungary?