1. Education population and language of instruction

In the school year 1998/1999, the number of people between 0 and 29 years of age was 4 036 000 (39.9% of the population). The number of children of compulsory school age was 1 360 000. The official language of instruction is Hungarian, but a number of ethnic and national minorities (e.g. German, Rumanian, Slovenian, Serb and Croatian) has minority educational institutions with their own languages as first or second language of instruction at primary and secondary level of teaching.

Most pupils attend public-sector schools, which are administered and organised by the public authorities. Private-sector educational establishments, which are set up and run by other authorities, receive over 50% of their subsidies from the public authorities. The main feature of the administration of the Hungarian public-sector education system is decentralisation. The authority of the Ministry of Education is restricted to general administrative responsibilities (setting the criteria and conditions for compulsory education, examinations at the end of upper secondary education). The local governments administer pre-primary, primary and secondary education. The different establishments enjoy decision-making autonomy not only in terms of organisation and functioning but also with regard to their budgets. As regards to the improvement of quality assurance in school education, the Ministry of Education launched a comprehensive COMENIUS 2000 program in order to enhance the operational efficiency of institutions and to introduce a partnership based approach (i.e. to improve co-operation between stakeholders in education).

This educational level is considered as the first level of the school system. It caters for children from 3 to 6 years of age. Attendance at schools at this level (óvoda) is optional, except for the final year, which is compulsory. Public-sector institutions may only charge for services beyond their basic tasks (extra-curricular activities, meals, excursions, etc.). In 1999/2000, 365 704 children attended nursery school. Currently, the attendance rate with regard to the age groups 3-5, is cc. 86.5%.

(a)   Phases

 Education is compulsory up to the age of 18. Vocational studies may not be commenced before the age of 16, up to which pupils are to acquire fundamental education. This extension of the possible start date of vocational training has brought about changes in two types of institution, the short vocational school (szakiskola) and the apprenticeship school (szakmunkásképző iskola).

(b) Admissions criteria

Law imposes the provision of free compulsory education. Nevertheless, private-sector schools can charge fees. A certificate of maturity is required for admission to primary school. Schools are obliged to take in all acceptable pupils who live within the catchment area, but parents may seek admission for their children at any institution. Admission to upper secondary schools is based on the entrance examinations organised by the schools, and adhering to the guidelines set up by the Ministry of Education.

(c) Length of the school day/week/year

The school year comprises 185 days of teaching, traditionally, starting from the end of August/beginning of September to 31 August of the following year. As of 2000 there are three (approximately one-week period) school breaks in the autumn, the winter and in spring, with an additional 10-11 week summer break. There are five working days every week, the teaching lessons usually last 45 minutes. The maximum numbers of teaching lessons for the various grades are stipulated by law.

(d) Class size/student grouping

In the school year of 1999/2000, the pupil/teacher ratio has the following pattern at the various levels of school education: 11.6 (kindergartens), 11.6 (in general schools (általános iskola) at primary and lower secondary levels, 10.3 (in general secondary schools - gimnázium) and 13.3 in vocational secondary schools (szakközépiskola). The average class size in general schools (általános iskola) is 21.4. The regulations define the maximum number of pupils per class as 26 (grades 1-4), 30 (grades 5-8) and 35 (grades 9-13). The classes are mixed and are made up of pupils of the same age. Ability groups are set up in certain schools. In general specialist teachers teach all subjects.

(e) Curricular control and content

A three level structure comprising the National Core Curriculum (1995), the Frame Curricula (2000) and local curricula (institutional level) provide a regulatory framework for teachers to develop syllabi. Based on a central definition of each discipline, the schools and the local teaching staff can define and adopt local curricula and syllabi for each class and each subject. As of the school year 2001/2002 each school and educational institution must apply the requirements set by the Frame Curricula. The Frame Curricula contain the knowledge and skills every student must be provided access to. At the same time the curricula may be supplemented according to the local expectations. The Frame Curricula have the special feature of giving priority to the improvement of skills and abilities. The choice of teachingmethods is discussed by the teachers, the parents and all stakeholders of each educational institution. The choice of textbooks is the responsibility of the teachers’ working groups, however the Ministry of Education approves the list of eligible textbooks.

(f) Assessment, progression and qualifications

Pupils are assessed by the teachers throughout the school year (written and oral tests). With the exception of the year-end assessment in grade one, pupils in difficulty can be made to repeat the year. At the end of compulsory education, pupils receive a leaving certificate, the Általánosiskolai bizonyítvány, which is based on school results (with no final examination).

(a)   Types of education

b) Admissions criteria

Most upper secondary schools organise entrance examinations. Law imposes free education at upper secondary level.

 (c) Curricular control and content

The structure of the curriculum at upper secondary level (number and spread of general and vocational subjects) varies according to the type of school. A law enacted in 1995 allows schools wishing to make changes to the curriculum to submit a request to the Ministry. The recently elaborated Frame Curricula define curricular content according to each type of upper secondary schools. Teachers are free to use any teaching methods of their choice and any textbook (selected from a textbook register approved by the Ministry of Education).

(d) Assessment, progression and qualifications

The arrangements for pupil assessment are identical to those in primary education. At the end of upper secondary courses in Gimnázium and Szakközépiskola pupils may pass the national secondary school leaving examination (érettségi). This certificate is a prerequisite for admission to higher education. Vocational schools (szakközépiskola) may also award a vocational qualifying certificate.

(a) Types of institution

In Hungary, higher education institutions are specialised and organise courses in their particular field of specialisation. The range of higher education institutions includes non-university institutions (főiskola), university-level institutions (egyetem) and institutions provide accredited higher vocational training courses.

(b) Access

The secondary school leaving certificate (érettségi bizonyítvány) is required by all institutions for entrance to higher education. Certain higher education courses impose stricter selection criteria for admission. Additional criteria may be required (for example, a certificate in foreign languages, a specialisation, a qualification, etc.).

(c) Qualifications

Diplomas have a two-fold function and incorporate academic and vocational qualifications. Students who successfully complete non-university education courses in the főiskola (3 or 4 years) are awarded the főiskolai diploma. Universities and other university-level institutions award the egyetemidiploma to students who successfully complete a four to six-year course. A higher vocational qualification (felsőfokú szakképesítés) awarded at the end of 2 years of non-university vocational higher education to students who have passed the higher professional examination.

The various categories of deficiencies related to special medical or educational responsibilities are itemised in the Act on Public Education. There are separate institutions for the blind and for pupils with hearing impediments, physical and mental deficiencies in primary and lower secondary education. After finishing general school, pupils with special needs may continue their studies in special vocational training schools. In case of pupils with special needs participating in integrated education, maximum class size is calculated by considering pupils with learning difficulties and special needs two counts, and disabled pupils three.

professional training. Most teachers have civil servant status.

 



The educational system in Hungary (tree)