Changes and development in the framework of regional secondary vocational education in Hungary

Abstract

The regulations concerning the framework of regional secondary vocational education were left largely untouched in the over twenty years following the change of the political system. Major and systematic changes were first introduced in 2007 with the creation of regional integrated vocational training centres (a.k.a. TISZKs).

The establishment of these institutions was without doubt a great leap forward, but in view of planned government provisions and the experiences gained from monitoring practices put in place since the modification of the regulations, it seems that they failed to achieve their aim.

Without questioning the soundness of purpose of the modifications (i.e. renewal of the methodology of vocational training, streamlining the organisation of institutions and units of students – principally for the sake of avoiding the fragmentation of institutions –, substantive innovation in terms of the infrastructure used, effective use of financial resources available for the purpose of development), our study identifies the following reasons for their lack of success:

The mechanisms of financing and the structures of interests that govern the functioning of the field have remained unchanged.

The rules adopted in the modified regulations regarding organisational matters led in their general approach to organisational anarchy.

Thus, although the formal structures changed, the old organisation and its ineffective methods of training survived in practice.

The committees entrusted with the task of regional harmonisation and of assuring that vocational training matches the needs of the labour market (RFKTs) became dominated by political, institutional and regional or professional lobbies and infested with the corruption that comes with them.

In the closing chapter of our study we offer seven specific recommendations aimed at a successful adjustment and renewal of the system of vocational secondary education.