Role of Weekend Schools is Vital for Hungarians Abroad

“The Hungarian weekend school stands as a crucial link for Hungarians living in the diaspora, boasting 260 such institutions across the globe,” said Péter Szilágyi, Deputy Secretary of State for National Policy, underscoring their paramount importance in safeguarding Hungarian identity.

Since 2010, there has been a heightened focus on diaspora Hungarians, evidenced by initiatives such as citizenship and the establishment of the Hungarian Diaspora Council. This year, a substantial budget of HUF 500M (EUR 1.2M) was allocated for diaspora organizations, resulting in 232 applications totaling HUF 996M (EUR 2.5M).

Hungarian weekend schools play a pivotal role in educating approximately 11,000 children, facilitated by 1,000 teachers, alongside the invaluable support of volunteer teachers and parents.

Miklós Lengyel, Deputy Secretary of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, shed light on the Methodology Conference’s evolution, which now draws participants from 22 countries, marking a significant expansion from its inception a decade ago when only 10-12 countries were involved. The conference serves as a platform for providing training opportunities in Budapest, empowering attendees to enhance their skills. Notably, participants are eligible for the esteemed Bálint Balassi scholarship program, which further incentivizes their involvement.

Beyond language acquisition, Hungarian weekend schools serve as crucial hubs for fostering community cohesion, providing a vital point of contact for diaspora families.

Mr. Szilágyi emphasized their role as “incubators of small cohesive Hungarian communities,” which would be impossible without the dedication of volunteer teachers. Mr. Lengyel reiterated the government’s unwavering commitment to fortifying Hungarian identity, emphasizing that this objective transcends geographical boundaries and encompasses both the diaspora and the Carpathian Basin.

Via MTI; Featured Image: Pixabay