European Trade Union Committee for Education

In 2013, the Hungarian government decided to establish the College of Teachers which would later function as a chamber of teachers in Hungary. This news quickly spread in Europe among teacherunions and several ETUCE member organisations expressed their concerns towards this occasion. We asked Ms Piroska Gallo, the president of the biggest Hungarian teacher union, PSZ-SEHUN about the facts.

ETUCE: Why did the Hungarian government decide to set up the College of Teachers?

PSZ - SEHUN: According to the government, the purpose was to consult the College  of Teachers regarding professional issues related to teachers instead of consulting several professional organisations. PSZ-SEHUN has firmly protested against this measure which provides that this College of Teachers shall also have the right to defend teachers' interests.

ETUCE: Did the government involve teacher unions in the consultation process about this measure?

PSZ - SEHUN: When we were informed about the government's plan to establish the College or Teachers, we contacted the Ministry of Education and had several consultative meetings with them.  PSZ-SEHUN has finally managed to have legislation adopted which clearly states that the rights and achievements of teacher unions should be taken into consideration. Therefore, we have managed so far to avoid an unsustainable situation where the College of Teachers would undermine union rights.

ETUCE: How does the Hungarian College of Teachers work?

PSZ - SEHUN: Legislation imposes the obligation for teachers to become members of the College. All teachers working in education institutions managed and maintained by municipalities (e.g. in the early childhood education sector) or by the state (the schools of other education sectors) are to be members of the College. For the time being, no fee system has been established but the government has a clear intention of turning this College into a classic chamber of teachers. Nevertheless, the fact that the government covers the running cost of this College, contradicts the efforts of the government  to establish the College as an autonomous body. The College is placed under the auspices of the Education Minister who monitors the legal functioning of the body. Furthermore, the persons actually in charge of determining the composition of the College are designated by the Ministry.

ETUCE: Do you think the College of Teachers can defend teachers' professional interests?

PSZ - SEHUN: Several paragraphs of the concerned legislation  and of the statutes of the College  jeopardise teachers' freedom of speech. Indeed, the National College of Teachers depends completely on the government, meaning that it would be impossible for its members to object to any government proposal on education and, therefore, to represent and defend teachers' professional interests. On the other hand, the government, with the support of the College, will be able to put through any measures no matter how harmful it would be to the interests of teachers or pupils.

ETUCE: What kind of actions does PSZ-SEHUN foresee on this issue?

PSZ - SEHUN: The National College of Teachers is in charge of developing the Deontological Code of teachers, enacting standards of behaviour for teachers, which they shall be requested to follow not only in their professional life but also in their private life. In that respect, PSZ - SEHUN instituted proceedings before the Constitutional Court founded on the reason that the activity of the National College of Teachers undermines unions' achievements and rights as well as teachers' freedom of speech. This complaint was considered unfounded and dismissed for lack of evidence. However, we will not give up our efforts to safeguard the rights of teacher unions.

ETUCE: Thank you for the interview.

Budapest, 25 February 2015