Against the background of troubled relations between Hungarian trade unions and the government of the country, the trade union of teachers, SEHUN, is willing to cooperate with the Hungarian trade unions in the education who signed the 10 key messages in the framework of the EI/ETUCE campaign Unite for Quality Education.
Together, they can make a common front against new governmental policy proposals in education, elaborate national common position on what is needed to improve the quality of education in Hungary and in Europe, and they can share views with relevant stakeholders in education.
The national recommendations triggered by the 10 key messages adopted by the ETUCE Committee on ‘What is Needed to Improve the Quality of Education in Europe?’ anticipate a common front against privatisation in education, for the return of the compulsory education age to 18 years old, and for free public education for all.
All these demands are conditioned to the crucial request for an increase in the public budget share dedicated to education, paving the way for equal opportunities and social mobility. In this respect, the Trade Union of Employees in Higher Education (FDSZ Hungary) recommends a rise in the GDP share invested in higher education of 1.2% for 2014, from the current 0.5%.
SEHUN and FDSZ will also continue to be engaged in raising public awareness on the crucial role teachers and employees in higher education have in society, being vigilant, at the same time, on the functioning of social dialogue at any level.