Teachers' Pay Rise Will Improve the Institutional Climate
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Loading... - Kuntum Chua
- 11 Feb 2025
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The Hungarian government has announced a significant pay rise for teachers, which is expected to improve the institutional climate and attract more graduates to the profession. According to Katalin Balatoni, Deputy State Secretary of the Ministry of the Interior for Public Education, the average salary of teachers will reach HUF 844,000 (EUR 2,086) in 2025, thanks to a wage increase that started in 2022 and will continue this year.
Financing the Wage Increase
The wage increase will be financed by both Hungarian and EU funds, with about 10% of the increase coming from EU money and 90% from government funds. The government has earmarked HUF 339 billion (EUR 837.8 million) for this purpose in 2025.
Salary Increases
The pay rise will result in significant salary increases for teachers, with the average salary of a university graduate reaching HUF 653,000 (EUR 1,613) and the salary of the highest-paid head teacher standing at HUF 1.7 million (EUR 4,200). Additionally, teachers working in disadvantaged settlements or with disadvantaged children will receive a further 20% increase, while those working in shortage areas will receive a 7% increase.
Performance-Based Evaluation
The deputy state secretary noted that the pay rise is not only based on years of service but also on performance evaluation, which takes into account the quality of work. This new system is expected to lead to a more motivated and effective teaching workforce.
Positive Impact on the Profession
The results of the pay rise are already visible, with an increasing number of teachers in the profession since last year and the number of teacher training candidates doubling compared to 2022. According to Katalin Balatoni, 15,000 students started their studies to become teachers last year.
Reaction from Education Leaders
Gabriella Hajnal, President of the Klebelsberg Institution Maintenance Center, highlighted the significant increase in salaries, citing examples of trainees' salaries increasing more than fivefold compared to 2010. Péter Horváth, President of the National Teachers Chamber, welcomed the pay rise, stating that it is "reassuring and predictable" and will lead to more graduates and fewer drop-outs, improving the institutional climate.
The pay rise for teachers in Hungary is expected to have a positive impact on the profession, attracting more graduates and improving the institutional climate. The new performance-based evaluation system will also lead to a more motivated and effective teaching workforce.
