The coronavirus has developed favourably in Hungary so far, and accordingly there is currently no justification for replacing traditional teaching with digital education. However, the number of infections is increasing significantly in many countries, and Hungarian data also calls for prudence. For this reason, the Operational Group and the epidemiological authority is continuously monitoring the situation and may decide on further measures if necessary.
School will be receiving protocols on measures they need to implement to facilitate protection against the epidemic. In addition, it is of fundamental importance that parents do not allow children who are sick or who are showing symptoms of the coronavirus into the community. The introduction of restrictions concerning schools can be avoided via responsible parental behaviour and through following fundamental precautions.
In addition, the Ministry of Human Capacities, schools and teachers are analysing the experiences and results gained from the successful out-of-classroom digital teaching that was ordered during the state of emergency, and following discussions with teacher organisations will also be applying them within the traditional school system. The government is additionally preparing for a possible second wave of the epidemic, with relation to which it is awaiting the response of the Hungarian people until 31 August within the framework of a National Consultation concerning whether they are in favour of making internet access free for families who are raising schoolchildren and for teachers.
The first school day of the 2020/2021 academic year will be the traditional 1 September 2020 (Tuesday), and the final day of the school year will be 15 June 2021. The first semester will end on 22 January 2021. The final day of teaching prior to the autumn break will be 22 October 2020 (Thursday), and the first day of teaching following the holiday will be 2 November 2020 (Monday). The final day of teaching prior to the Christmas holidays will be 18 December 2020 (Friday), and the first day of teaching following the winter break will be 4 January 2021 (Monday). The final day of teaching prior to the spring break will be 31 March 2021 (Wednesday), and the first day of teaching following the break will be 7 April 2021 (Wednesday).
Thematic weeks planned for the new school year: The “PÉNZ7” (“Money Week”) financial and entrepreneurial thematic week will be held from 1-5 March 2021, the Digital Thematic Week will be held on 22-26 March, the Sustainability Thematic Week will be held on 19-23 April, and the health-conscious thinking and school movement activities thematic day (Hungarian Student Sports Day) will be held on 25 September 2020.
The decree also includes the dates for the written high school final examinations to be held in October-November of this year and May-June of next year. Autumn final exams begin on 16 October, while the spring final exam period will begin on 3 May.