Hungarian government overhauls education system, abolishes Klebelsberg Center's central role

Hungarian education reform Klebelsberg Center district director competition centralisation audit Ministry of Education

The Hungarian government announced a comprehensive reform of the public education system. The Klebelsberg Center will lose its central management function and be re‑structured as a research and support institute. All 60 district (tankerület) director positions – overseeing roughly 2,130 schools, 5,002 service points, about 698,500 pupils and more than 82,000 teachers – will be filled through an open competition announced for 20 August, with successful candidates appointed for five‑year terms. Mayors will take part in the selection process.

The reform moves the overall authority for education directly under the Ministry of Education and Child Care starting 1 January 2027. An audit carried out by the Ministry identified excessive centralisation, noting financial, IT and donation‑management problems that raised costs and risks. The Klebelsberg Center was found to operate an operational control system without legal or professional basis, and the centralised model failed to improve transparency or efficiency. In 2025 the district units received an extra 27 billion forints to cover utility costs, highlighting persistent funding shortfalls.

The government argues the changes will create a more competitive, humane and accountable school system, reduce bureaucratic burdens, and ensure better staffing and resources for teachers and pupils.

Entities: Hungarian government · Hungarian school districts (tankerületek) · Klebelsberg Center · Magyar Péter · Ministry of Education and Child Care · Tankerület district system

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.

[● 3 SOURCES] Mayors will be involved in the selection process for district directors. (government policy)
[● 3 SOURCES] The review identified financial, IT and donation‑management problems caused by centralisation, leading to higher costs and increased risk. (Ministry audit)
[● 5 SOURCES] All 60 district (tankerület) director positions will be filled via open competition with five‑year contracts. (Government decision)
[● 2 SOURCES] Hungary’s school system includes 60 districts, about 2 130 schools, 5 002 service points, serving roughly 698 500 children and over 82 000 teachers. (Official statistics)
[● 2 SOURCES] The Ministry of Education and Child Care completed a review of the Klebelsberg Center and regional school district centres, finding excessive centralisation. (government review)
[● 5 SOURCES] The open competition for district director posts will be announced on 20 August. (Government announcement)
[● 6 SOURCES] The government decided to abolish the Klebelsberg Center's central management function and convert it into a research and support institution. (Government announcement)
[● 5 SOURCES] From 1 January 2027, education management will be placed directly under the Ministry of Education and Child Care. (Government decision)
[● 2 SOURCES] In 2025 the tankerületek received an extra 27 billion forints supplemental support to cover utility costs. (Government financial data)
[● 2 SOURCES] The audit found that the Klebelsberg Center operated an operational control system without legal or professional authorization. (Ministry audit)