Southeast Europe

atio of 74.6% is the most favourable compared to the national ratio of 66.6% of the
country’s population over the age of twelve. Compared to the national average of 4.7%
for the population over the age of twelve the ratio of Hungarians in Romania with only
primary school education stands at a relatively low level (2%) (1992 Census, Vol. I).
Hungarian language education can be found in kindergartens, primary and secondary
schools, as well as at the higher education level (Council for National Minorities,
1994:20). According to government statistics of 2000 (The Ethos of Education for
National Minorities in Romania 1999/2000 School Year, 2000) regarding the 1999/2000
academic years, 193,635 Hungarian youngsters and 19,654 Hungarian students attended
an institutionalised form of education, being instructed by 11,950 teachers. Out of
approximately 50,000 ethnic Hungarian pupils enrolled in kindergartens and schools
taught in the Romanian language 2,845, representing 5.7%, learn their mother tongue –
Hungarian – as an optional subject matter. In addition, 10,000 students of ethnic
Hungarian origin are enrolled in institutions of higher education. (Council for National
Minorities, 1997:49).
The Education Law of 1995 (see Section 5.2) fails to address the issue regarding proper
vocational training. It is an important issue according to the DAHR which claims that
60% of Hungarian students would like to learn a trade (DAHR, 1998:3). However,
according to the new law 151/1999, vocational training is available in Hungarian (for
5,747 students) and German (for 18 students), and also post-secondary education (for
2,094 students studying in Hungarian and 99 in German) (The Ethos of Education for
National Minorities in Romania 1999/2000 School Year, 2000).
Type of schools
1989/90
(%)
1991/92
(%)
1994/95
(%)
49
1995/96
(%)
1996/97
(%)
1997/98
(%)
1999/00
(%)
Kindergarten 5.3 6.4 6.6 6.6 6.5 6.7 6.5
Primary schools 5.3 5.1 4.9 4.8 4.8 4.9 4.7
High schools 2.5 4.3 4.1 3.8 3.7 3.8 3.8
Vocational schools 0.04 1.6 1.9 1.9 1.1 – 2.6
Higher education 4.3 4.3 N/A. 3.8 4.1 – 4.3
The general tendency of decrease in the number of Hungarian students can be observed.
About 1/3 of those attending Hungarian kindergarten are pursuing their studies in
Romanian high schools.
6.5.1 Kindergartens and primary education
According to government statistics for the year 1996/97, there were 1,128
kindergartens, 481 primary schools (grades I-IV), and 667 grammar schools (grades V-
VIII) which were either independent schools offering exclusively Hungarian language
teaching, or Romanian schools with Hungarian language sections.
6.5.2 Secondary education
Secondary education in Romania covers grades 9 to 12 and students from 15 to 18 years
of age. According to government statistics for the year 1996/97, there were 130
Hungarian language secondary schools. There are no special secondary schools in
Hungarian for those with learning difficulties.