Thousands join Hungary teacher protests against 'humiliating' pay

Hungary's failing schools are becoming the focus of growing protests, with students and parents rallying behind teachers who were fired for protesting "humiliating" low pay and years of government neglect.

Thousands have joined the protests since the beginning of September, with human chains formed around schools across the country, sparked by the fact that pay is so bad that supermarket cashiers are paid about as much as a high school teacher. Another mass protest is planned for Sunday.

Primary school teachers earn around 170,000 forints (410 euros) per month, with high school teachers earning up to 396,000 forints (950 euros) per month – roughly the same as a supermarket cashier.

The government admits that pay is inadequate. However, it has linked a planned increase – to 80% of the average graduate salary by 2025 – to long-delayed EU funding held up due to concerns about Hungary's corruption and deteriorating democratic standards.

Hungary already has a chronic teacher shortage, with few young people entering the profession and 40% of teachers over the age of 50.