Digital Education Strategy of Hungary

Hungary’s Digital Education Strategy (DES) is a comprehensive plan to transform the country’s educational system to meet the demands of the digital age. The strategy was developed under the broader Digital Success Programme (DSP) and addresses various levels of education, including public education, vocational education, higher education, and adult learning.

Key Elements of the Strategy:

1. Purpose and Mandate:
   • The strategy was initiated following Government Decision No. 2012/2015 of 29 December 2015, which tasked the Prime Ministerial Commissioner with preparing and submitting the DES.
   • The strategy’s mission is to ensure that no one leaves the education and training system without the digital competencies required by the labour market.
2. Strategic Pillars:
   • The strategy covers all levels of education and includes specific pillars for public education, vocational education, higher education, and adult learning. It also includes horisontal pillars for monitoring the learning path, ensuring equal opportunities, and addressing security issues.
3. Public Education:
   • The strategy emphasises the importance of digital competencies as key skills necessary for social and labour market success.
   • It addresses the current shortcomings in digital literacy among Hungarian students and aims to improve infrastructure, teacher preparedness, and digital content availability.
4. Vocational Education:
   • The DES seeks to align vocational education with 21st-century labour market needs by enhancing the digital competencies of students and vocational instructors.
   • It also focuses on improving digital infrastructure and creating industry-specific digital content.
5. Higher Education:
   • The strategy envisions a standardised online digital environment in higher education, offering personalised learning opportunities and supporting lifelong learning.
   • Key goals include a shift in teaching methodologies, the development of a digital learning platform, and improvements in digital infrastructure.
6. Adult Learning:
   • The strategy aims to make every Hungarian citizen a member of the digital community, reducing the digital divide and enhancing digital literacy among adults.
   • It also promotes participation in vocational IT training and the creation of a supportive environment for digital learning.
7. Horizontal Pillars:
   • The strategy includes measures for monitoring the learning path, ensuring accessibility for persons with disabilities, and improving security awareness in digital education environments.

Implementation and Goals:

• The DES outlines specific goals, such as increasing the digital literacy of students and teachers, improving digital infrastructure in schools, and creating digital content that supports learning across all educational levels.
• By 2018, the strategy aimed to start the digital transformation of the education system, with tangible results expected in infrastructure, availability of devices, digital teaching materials, and teacher competencies.
• By 2020, Hungary aimed to exceed the EU average in digital literacy, Internet penetration, and the level of digitalisation in education.

Significance:

• The DES is seen as crucial for improving Hungary’s competitiveness, labour market opportunities, and overall social welfare. It also aligns with broader national and EU strategies related to digital transformation and education.

This strategy represents a significant commitment by Hungary to modernise its education system and prepare its citizens for the challenges and opportunities of the digital age.