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A series of fake reports have been brought to the attention of Hirado.hu, as a section of the Hungarian press has started to spread rumors that schools will not be heated in winter and that online education may be implemented again, which is not at all favorable for working parents.
As reported by Hirado.hu, it was ATV, a channel of the opposition media, which last weekend published a report featuring a parent from a small village in Baranya County, in the southern part of Hungary. The father said that he had heard that several schools in the area would not be able to afford heating because of the energy crisis, so they would switch to online education. The report did not interview school administrators, so the truth of the report was not revealed.
The ATV report was then published by the Blikk tabloid, where it was reported that all parents in Hungary are worried because many schools will switch to online education. The story was then picked up in this format by politicians, Facebook groups, and various parents’ organizations, which meant that tens of thousands of people then read the fake news. Népszava, also part of the opposition press, reported that classrooms do not need to be heated when temperatures reach 20 degrees Celsius.
The interior ministry clarified on Tuesday that no decision or instruction had been given on heating schools.
It said that the regulation to keep educational buildings at least 20 degrees Celsius has been in place for decades – but that does not mean it cannot be more.
Moreover, as Hirado.hu pointed out, the reality is that classrooms are often starved of oxygen and stuffy, so windows are opened.
The statement from the ministry also said that heating in educational institutions is in place everywhere, and they are preparing for a normal school year.
The head of the Democratic Trade Union of Teachers also reacted to the news, with Erzsébet Nagy saying that it is certain that several educational institutions may switch to online teaching in winter if the government wants to save on heating. However, it is not in the interest of parents to go back to online teaching because it was a burden earlier for those working in an office and could not be at home all day. Moreover, online teaching is not good for children either when it comes to their mental health or learning development.
Featured photo: MTI/Balázs Attila