Hungarian Education Minister Criticizes Gymnasium Programs

Hungary's Minister of Education has sharply criticized the country's six- and eight-grade gymnasium programs, arguing they fail to provide students with a higher level of knowledge. Judit Varga, the minister of education and children's affairs, stated in an interview with the Balzac student media YouTube channel that despite significant study time, Hungarian children's performance in international assessments like PISA is only average.

"According to PISA assessments, Hungarian children learn almost the most," Varga said, "but with this amount of learning, they only achieve average results." This observation suggests a disconnect between the volume of education and its effectiveness, prompting the minister's critique of the current secondary school structure.

Beyond the criticism of gymnasiums, Varga also elaborated on the ongoing transformation of higher education in Hungary. She described a two-step process aimed at reforming the university system, though specific details of this transformation were not elaborated upon in the provided text. The minister's comments signal a potential shift in educational policy, focusing on the quality and outcomes of learning rather than solely on the quantity of instruction.

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According to PISA assessments, Hungarian children learn almost the most, but with this amount of learning, they only achieve average results.