He underlined the government’s message that teachers have already received what amounts to the biggest pay rise since the change of political system over 25 years ago.

A system for maintaining schools is needed, but it is “neither here nor there” what the institution in charge is called, Kósa said, referring to demands that the central state institution (Klik) that currently runs Hungary’s schools should be scrapped.

He said the previous system for maintaining schools under local council control had gone bankrupt and the central government had taken over accumulated debts of 1,300 billion forints (EUR 4.2bn) , a large part of which were connected with schools provision.

Teachers held a large demonstration in front of Parliament at the weekend, demanding systemic changes in Hungary’s schooling. Leader of the PSZ trade union accused the government of ruining education through its reforms.

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MTI photo: Bruzák Noémi