Hungarian Education in Transition.

The effects of recent political and social changes in Hungary on that country's educational system and society and on Hungarian educators are examined. Responses to five interview questions put to 18 Hungarian educators representing the university, secondary, and elementary levels form the basis of the findings presented. The questions were: (1) What are the most significant changes occurring in education in the past year? (2) How are economic and political factors in Hungary influencing educational policy and/or grassroots movements? (3) How do teachers compare educational changes in Hungary to changes in other Eastern European nations? (4) What opposition to change exists and to what extent? and (5) Is any minority group large enough to have a voice in educational change? The analysis of the responses revealed a general resistance to and distrust of change both among Hungarian teachers and among the population at large. A 14-item list of references is included. (DB)