Another 125,000 students will receive laptops

The program started in 2022, a total of 453,000 laptops were distributed and now the 5th-12th. everyone who requested a laptop already has a laptop among the first-grade students. In addition to student laptops, schools also receive institutional devices.

Another 125,000 students will receive laptops by December thanks to the government's support, the Parliamentary State Secretary of the Ministry of the Interior announced at a press conference.

Bence Rétvári said that the modern IT tools will be given to the 5th and 9th grade students who previously indicated their need in the Kréta system.

he added.

He emphasized that it is very important for every student to have access to digital content. The laptop distribution program with a total cost of 32 billion forints serves the competitiveness of Hungarian students' knowledge, he said, noting that the children can use the machines they receive with the highest quality Internet connection, after the government implemented very serious Wi-Fi improvements in schools.

"One of the functions of education is to reduce the social differences brought from home," stated Bence Rétvári, who also pointed out that the program was originally funded by the European Union, but the EU does not provide Hungary with the resources of the recovery fund. it will be implemented from budget funds, with "full state support" "the Union did not consider Hungarian students worthy of receiving laptops from EU funds" .

He also explained that

- 55,000 of which went to the teachers - and about 3,000 schools benefited from the tools.

He also said that in addition to the distribution of laptops, students are also supported by the development of digital content. According to him, the range of interactive smart textbooks and other downloadable content on the national public education portal is expanding every year. In recent years, 200 million downloads have taken place on the site, the content has been used in 6,500 student groups, and more than 28,000 assignments have already been given to students through the portal, Bence Rétvári listed.

Zsolt Nyitrai, the prime minister's chief adviser, emphasized that the civil government led by Viktor Orbán "implements the concept of the service state in practice".

"This means that on a daily basis we pay attention to the needs of citizens, to people's opinions, with our measures we try to make their lives easier and help them manage their affairs," he said, noting that the government takes into account the special needs of various social groups and helps civilians with the most modern means. .

Zsolt Nyitrai recalled that citizens' opinions had already been asked 16 times in the form of a national consultation, and another set of questions would soon come, this time about economic policy. "We base our public work on dialogue, we always look for a point of agreement with people," he underlined.

The chief consultant emphasized that in addition to soliciting opinions, they also provide services: for example, the free Caregiver Hour program for people over 65, which is unique in Europe. More than 650,000 people have registered for the program, and more than 22,000 have already provided help in life-threatening situations, he explained.

He also mentioned the free digital citizenship service, free textbooks, school supplies for 80,000 needy children, and summer camps for children with diabetes, indicating that the distribution of IT equipment also fits into this line of support.

Gabriella Hajnal, president of the Klebelsberg Center, said: the program started in 2022, and now it is for grades 5-12. everyone who requested a laptop already has a laptop among the first-grade students. For those who did not request their own, school machines are available, so everyone can use the devices, he said.

The president emphasized: in recent years, the distribution of laptops has gone smoothly, and even now everyone receives the devices on time.

"At the moment, there is no obstacle to carrying out 21st-century education in public education," stated Gabriella Hajnal, who also explained that all the distributed devices are tablets and laptops at the same time, with an average cost of HUF 256,000. The machines have a Windows system, and they also come with a bag and a mouse, he said.

(MTI)

Cover photo: A laptop will be handed over at the Endre Ady High School in Ráckeve on November 14, 2023. 7th and 10th grade students and schools across the country will have access to another 140,000 educational laptops for personal or institutional use.
MTI/Zoltán Máthé