Hungary to reform mandatory school enrollment rules

Education Minister Judit Lannert has announced a proposed legislative change regarding school enrollment for children. Under the new system, if both parents and kindergarten teachers agree, a child may remain in kindergarten rather than being forced into compulsory schooling. If a disagreement arises, an expert examination will be used to facilitate the decision. This amendment is expected by this summer.

The change addresses issues stemming from a 2020 regulation that mandated school enrollment for children turning six by August 31. Previously, parents had to submit complex applications with various medical and pedagogical certifications to request an extra year in kindergarten. This process was criticized for being inconsistent across different counties and for creating administrative burdens that sometimes forced unprepared children into the school system.