Lannert Judit, the minister responsible for education, wrote on Facebook that a comprehensive strategy for Hungarian education will be finalised by the end of the year. The strategy will contain a dedicated education and training artificial intelligence strategy for Hungary, and the ministry plans to begin a public consultation process on that AI strategy soon.
The minister argued that unreflective use of artificial intelligence can undermine students' ability to think and practise independently if they regularly rely on machines to solve tasks. This concern underpins the effort to define how AI should be applied within educational settings.
New National Core Curriculum and pilot phase
Lannert said a new National Core Curriculum (Nemzeti Alaptanterv, NAT) is being developed and will only be implemented after careful preparation and piloting. The plans include a broad reading-comprehension development programme that will prioritise early detection of difficulties and targeted support. Schools will receive methodological assistance and professional autonomy so they can tailor development measures to their pupils' needs.
Broader consultations and shared decision-making
The minister emphasized that the ministry will not decide on the education strategy, the new NAT, or school structure unilaterally. "The era of diktats characteristic of the past 16 years is over," she wrote, adding that the new system must be built on majority consensus. Over the past four months the ministry has organised several hundred consultations, and it intends to expand these discussions, involving students, education workers, professional and interest organisations, and parent groups.
Measures already taken and priorities
According to Lannert, dismantling centralisation and addressing more quickly solvable problems has already begun. She listed recent measures achieved so far, including:
- expanding school principals' authorities;
- restoring teachers' right to strike;
- suspending the performance-evaluation system;
- introducing a 100,000 forint school-start allowance;
- and adjusting the salaries of nevelést, oktatást közvetlenül segítők (NOKS) and other school staff.
The minister stressed that building a 21st-century, child-centred education system will not happen overnight: the process requires time and wide participation, as well as an education system that can function across government terms.
When will more details appear?
Lannert indicated that public engagement on the education AI strategy will begin soon and that the ministry plans to complete the overall strategy by the end of the year. Specific timelines and details are expected after further rounds of consultation.
