1. The challenges to be met
Present conditions and future prospects of the Hungarian education system
The challenges to be met
a short outline
András Forgács, HUNGARY
OCTOBER, 2005

2. Developments affecting Hungarian education and training and their environment
Demographic trends
fall in birth rates,
aging population
Innovation, knowledge based economy becoming primary factor of competitiveness
Primary role of the quality of human resources in knowledge creation, transmission and application of knowledge
Growing pace of the obsolescence of knowledge, increased relevance of skills and competencies on the labour market
Steady increase of social and individual costs of learning
Slow and erratic response of the education system to labour market demands
Growing demand within the society and among individuals toward acquiring a higher level of qualification
Growing disparities in access to quality education and education services
Selectivity of the education system, reproduction of social differences
Difficult access to education and VET in geographically remote areas
Changing patterns of learning
Extension of the period of time spent in the education system
Widespread use of ICT
Large dissemination of new forms of learning
Very low participation in adult learning

3. Imperative need for change
Hungary must better and quicker adapt to the new socio-economic and technological developments on the international arena. Priority must be given to improve competitive potential of the country
Human resources components of Hungary’s international competitiveness are gradually depleting, Hungary is losing ground
Above all human factors of the innovation process (creation of knowledge, transmission and application of knowledge) must be strengthened
Education and training in a large sense are to play a key role in this endeavour, therefore steps are to be taken these sectors should more effectively contribute to the change

4. Necessity for a new approach The challenges
Future tasks
Similarity with problems European education systems are confronted with and similarity with the „remedies” sought
Enhancing quality, effectiveness, efficiency
Strengthening contribution of education and training to equal opportunities
Ensuring access to education and training for all
Establishing close links between school and the world of labour
Creating an up to date learning environment
Strengthening the role and participation primarily of the higher education in the innovation process
New governance
Enhancing international competitiveness of higher education

5. The answers, a few dilemmas
To have a vision: development, adoption and implementation of sectoral strategies (LLL, Public Education, VE, Hungarian Universitas progr.)
A few dilemmas:
How to improve efficiency of public education?
How to carry on the integration of young Roma people into mainstream schools?
How to implement comprehensive reform policies while fully respecting local autonomy?
How to enhance citizens cost-sharing willingness?
How to increase the level of investments in education and training without increasing the financial burden of the State (PPP, VET contribution)?
How to improve governance, partnership, inter-sectoral approach?