Demonstrators protest for development of education in capital

The demonstrators urged the government to devote greater attention to public education. They called for a solution to the shortage of teachers, keeping the teaching material to an amount that is “teachable and learnable” and for “liveable schools”.

The demonstration organised by the “Students for Teachers” Facebook group started at St Stephen Square in downtown Budapest, from where the protestors made their way to Fovam Square, chanting slogans like “Free country, free education!” and “No teachers, no future!” Several opposition politicians like Budapest Mayor Gergely Karacsony, Peter Marki-Zay, the united opposition’s prime ministerial candidate in the spring general election, and lawmakers of the Parbeszed and Socialist parties could be seen among the protestors.

At Fovam Square, several teachers and students addressed the crowd, calling on the government to increase spending on public education, and on teachers to hold a strike. They asked the public to show solidarity in the interest of the development of education.

Many of the protestors wore chequered shirts, an outfit that has become associated with teacher demonstrations.