Hungary terminates Déryné Program educational agreement

Hungarian Minister of Education Judit Lannert has ordered the immediate termination of a cooperation agreement between the Educational Authority (Oktatási Hivatal) and the Déryné Program. The decision follows intense criticism from the theatrical community regarding the professional quality and transparency of the deal.

The original agreement, established in the summer, aimed to integrate the Déryné Program’s drama pedagogy materials—including lesson plans, educational films, and publications—into the official national curriculum. These materials were intended to be accessible via textbooks, smart textbooks, and the National Educational Portal.

Critics, including the Hungarian Theatre Society, expressed concerns that selecting a single program for such a prominent role undermined the diversity of the country’s established drama pedagogy landscape. Following the controversy, Minister Lannert announced that the Déryné materials will be removed from the National Educational Portal. She stated that future drama pedagogy content will be selected in consultation with professionals and the Ministry responsible for culture, emphasizing a commitment to quality and balance.