Hungary proposes primary school reforms including 35-minute lessons

The Hungarian Ministry of Education and Children has proposed a 14-point reform package titled "Let learning be an experience!" aimed at making primary school education more child-centered. Presented by Marietta Kókayné Lányi, the State Secretary for Public Education, the proposal suggests several significant changes to the daily school routine.

Key recommendations include the introduction of 35-minute lessons and consolidated learning blocks to reduce cognitive load. The package also advocates for a more flexible start to the day, featuring "warm-up" periods with activities such as group discussions, reading, or quiet arrival. To protect children's family and rest time, the proposal suggests reasonable limits on homework, specifically recommending no mandatory written homework for first graders and minimal assignments on weekends or holidays.

Additional measures focus on physical and mental well-being, such as longer movement breaks, calmer lunch periods, and experiential learning in science and mathematics. The ministry also encourages schools to organize regular thematic days (e.g., forest, museum, or art days) and utilize outdoor settings for physical education and nature-based learning.