Science Academy Calls for Fired Teachers' Reinstatement

Following the previous resolutions of the Academy's College of Leaders, the Presidential Committee on Public Education and the Department of Philosophy and History, the Hungarian Academy of Sciences' Bureau adopted a resolution on the state of public education and the need for its development at its last meeting this year.

The Presidium of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences says that it was guided by its responsibility for the future of public education in Hungary when making the following statement:

In an increasingly tense situation, it is to be welcomed that a dialogue has been initiated on the solution of the problems of public education with the participation of the Government and representatives of teachers, but the dialogue must be extended to all stakeholders. We believe that the reinstatement of dismissed teachers to their original jobs is essential for the success of the process. We ask the President of the Republic to intervene to this end.

The Ministry of Public Education has published its program of measures for a real pay rise for teachers, which is a step forward. In addition, it must be ensured as soon as possible that teachers' salaries reach the current average of the salaries of the same level of qualified intellectuals.

To make teaching more attractive and raise the quality of public education, teachers should be given professional autonomy. This can only be achieved with good professionals, well-functioning teaching staff and public education institutions, and appropriate professional quality assurance. Salaries should be performance-related. Teacher training at universities must be strengthened to ensure a supply of teachers.

Our country needs a thorough overhaul of the public education system, a public education development program that spans election cycles and which, in addition to nurturing outstanding talent, also meets the objectives of increasing social cohesion and catching up. This can only be achieved through a shared social consensus.

Public education in Hungary must also receive the same attention and financial investment as in the case of European and non-European countries that are at the forefront of the world and striving to catch up. Without it, even the most radical organizational reforms cannot reverse the negative trends of several decades and provide the basis for the competitiveness and general well-being of our future generations.

The Hungarian Academy of Sciences offers the knowledge and experience of its members and its bodies, in particular the Scientific Committee for Pedagogy and the Presidential Committee for Public Education, to help create the conditions for a scientifically sound, modern public education.