This year nearly 13 million textbooks will be delivered free of charge to students in public education and vocational training by the start of the school year, the Parliamentary Secretary of the Ministry of Interior announced on Tuesday in Budapest.
During a press conference held at the Gárdonyi Géza Primary School in Újbuda Bence Rétvári highlighted that thanks to government measures, students now receive textbooks for free instead of having to pay for them at increasing prices.
He reminded that before 2010 the cost of textbook packages increased by 71 per cent over eight years, requiring families to pay more each year. In response to this situation, a decision was made after 2010 to provide free textbooks to everyone through the state textbook development system, which would otherwise cost families 20,000–40,000 forints. Additionally, 80,000 free school supply kits will be distributed to families in need, he added.
Alongside paper-based materials, digital resources are also expanding continuously, with 200 new digital materials available on the National Public Education Portal, from which 193 million downloads have already been made, he continued. Furthermore, in addition to the 450,000 laptops distributed in recent years, another 100,000 laptops will be provided to Hungarian students by the end of 2025, the Secretary of State stated.
Government spokesperson Eszter Vitályos emphasized at the press conference that as a result of the government’s decision the 1.1 million affected families received their September payments of child benefits, including maternity and paternity allowances, and family allowances, last week, before the start of the school year. Additionally, 1.2 million students will receive free textbooks, relieving Hungarian families of a burden totalling 15 billion forints.
For large families and those with multiple children, discounted or free school meals are also provided through local governments. Additionally, from 1 September, support will be provided for all young people in public education and vocational training to cover the costs of the theory test required for obtaining a Category B driver’s licence, she added.
She also reported that the government reviewed the status of teachers’ salary increases at its meeting last week. It was determined that this year, following an average salary increase of 32 per cent, teachers are earning between 670,000 and 680,000 forints. Moreover, a further increase of approximately 21 per cent is expected on 1 January 2025, which will raise the average teacher salary to 820,000 forints.
According to her, the government intends to continue with salary increases until 2030, which means that by 2027 the average salary of teachers could exceed one million forints.
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