1. BERLIN, 19 November 2010 The Independent School in Europe Today – and the Role the National Organizations are Playing Zsófia Bak, Hungary

2. Short Statement about Hungarian Independent Schools Hungarian independent institutions Hungarian independent institutions Hungarian education system and independent schools Hungarian education system and independent schools Rumors Rumors New educational government New educational government

3. Why are independent schools needed in Hungary?

4. Public assignment The independent schools provide public assignment just as their public or church operated fellows. They match the forms of the law of education, they provide their students with at least the same professional, personnel, educational conditions as any other Hungarian school.

5. Less subsidy The independent schools, as opposed to public or church schools run their institutions with less governmental subsidy, namely they get only the basic normative support; the so called complementary support doesn’t automatically go to them. The costs of their operation comes partly from the parents, which money otherwise wouldn’t flow into the sources of public education, another source is applications and complementary support from the government through applications for schools dealing with handicapped or deprived children.

6. Common characteristics… Though there are big differences between our schools, they have some important common characteristics: One maintainer – one school. It is the typical way of operation, and this provides a more intimate relationship with the circle of the so called school-users. One maintainer – one school. It is the typical way of operation, and this provides a more intimate relationship with the circle of the so called school-users. In general they are smaller, and are more able to adjust themselves to the needs of families and children. In general they are smaller, and are more able to adjust themselves to the needs of families and children. Regarding their much scanter sources and the fact that as part of the civic sphere they don’t run directly from governmental sources, their economy is much more efficient as that of their public counterparts. Regarding their much scanter sources and the fact that as part of the civic sphere they don’t run directly from governmental sources, their economy is much more efficient as that of their public counterparts. They maintain big importance - besides the educational function – to the communication of values and standards of a school. They maintain big importance - besides the educational function – to the communication of values and standards of a school.

7. …and diversity They play an outstanding role at situations of conflict and problem solving. The existence of the diverse independent sphere in itself guarantees that among the frames of solid rules they can support every educational need of the society and of the families: independent kindergartens and schools have stop-gap importance in Hungary. - The independent sphere ensures the strenghtening of the social net concerning the drop-out kids. Today in Hungary one can not imagine the improvement of the children’s chances without professional, ” children – rescuing” pedagogues founding independent schools. Our network provides: - high per cent of schools for second chance. - several institutions that handle deviances. - bringing solution for the deprived groups to their very places.

8. Children with Special Needs Besides the so called altruistic institutions (to counterbalance the social detriment) a very large rate of these independent schools are dealing with Besides the so called altruistic institutions (to counterbalance the social detriment) a very large rate of these independent schools are dealing with children with special needs.

9. Basic Art Schools High number of independent schools are basic art schools. These art schools in the past 15-20 years brought art education into every segment - even to the smallest village - of Hungary. Delivering the demand for traditional music education, folk culture, social culture, dance, theater art, fine art towards the next generation. This would not be provided by the concerned municipalities. The accumulated experiences, the achievements are outstanding by European measures as well and are able to form patterns to follow for others.

10. ” Private Schools” Of course, there are independent schools with tuition fee, but they represent only one third of the whole at the maximum, why - like other developed countries - independent sphere was established typically for the two edges of the society. These schools on one hand bring appreciable sources in surplus into the education system, while on the other hand they satisfy the needs of families, who are ready to and capable of financially supplementing the education of their kids.

11. Vocational Education On the field of vocational education independent schools play a very important role in traditional professional education which is needed in smaller measures; in traditional professional education which is needed in smaller measures; in vocational education of arts; in vocational education of arts; in the teaching of professions of modernization. in the teaching of professions of modernization. In Hungary we have a so called vocational school system, fulfilling an important function in compensation of handicap and deprivation. Hence are they represented in significant numbers after the secondary school period and in the area of second chance.

12. Kindergarten Among kindergartens there are lot of foundation or private run ones. Without these the kindergarten care would be unimaginable, in particular in big cities, suburban parts, smaller villages.

13. Committed Educators Last but not least have we mention the important role of pedagogues of independent schools in professional development. The common opinion often identifies alternative schools with foundation and private schools. No doubt that most of the alternative schools are run by foundations, but they represent only a small number among independent schools. Today, as all over the advanced world, the alternative schools are the most significant workshops of professional development; without them, professional modernization would be unimaginable.

14. Statement of the Board 1. In Hungary all the educational institutions must be evenly financed, controlled and supported if they match up to the legal requirements. 2. Depending on the type and level of school, different professional support and financing is needed, but the base of this must not be the legal personality of the maintainer, but the goal and programme of the school. 3. Until such time as the uniformed judgment and support system has not been formed, the regulation and financing of non-governmental institutions must happen evenly.

15. Thank you for your kind attention Zsófia Bak Association of Hungarian Independent Schools www.ame.hu zsofi@ame.hu