Teacher movements, opposition parties sign education reform concept

Representatives of teacher movements and opposition parties signed a document on a new basic concept of education in Budapest on Monday. Oliver Pilz, a leader of the teacher protest movement Tanitanek, told reporters that they demanded greater autonomy, freedom and a decentralised system in education, as well as a more liberal policy in the management of schools. Pilz, who announced the plan to draft the concept in a demonstration on January 28, said that education is a national issue that directly or indirectly affects society as a whole. Gyula Molnar, leader of the Socialist Party, hailed the concept, saying that education should focus on pupils and students and that school should be given greater freedom.