Evaluation or punishment? Several teachers have had their points deducted because of the salary cap
Many teachers' scores have been artificially lowered in the new performance appraisal to reduce the number of teachers in the outstanding category, which is worth extra money. Many were just one or two points short of the 80-point limit, while principals made a proportional adjustment to the salary cap, Népszava reports.
Teachers' performance evaluation scores in the CREDIT system have been finalised.
The new system puts teachers in the outstanding category with 80 points out of 100, who will receive extra pay, but many teachers are only 1-2 points behind. In some institutions, the points were "pro-rated" because of the salary cap, with many receiving 79 points, sparking controversy, Népszava reported.
From the next academic year, outstanding performers can receive an extra bonus built into their basic salary, which averages 20,000 forints gross a month, but can be up to 60,000 forints based on the personal decision of the headmasters.
One teacher also posted on his social networking site that a few days ago he was rated above 80 points, but later his score changed to 79. Some also expressed their disappointment and wrote that they would not be doing any extra work next year because they had almost the same score as their colleagues who had hardly done any extra school work. Another teacher said that the whole system was a way of making everyone hate each other who got two points more.
The Teachers' Union said local rules on evaluation were flawed and that lowering scores retrospectively was unethical. The Klebelsberg Centre says performance evaluation is an employer's responsibility.
Government decision: teachers' pay to be closer to the average for graduates
A decision published in the Hungarian Gazette said that under the government decision, up to 10.95 billion forints will be provided this year for a pay rise for teachers based on performance evaluation. Márton Nagy, minister of national economy, has until 31 August to ensure that the funds are available. The aim is for the average salary of teachers to reach 80 percent of the average salary of graduates between 2025 and 2031, which is also included in the agreement with the European Union. In this way, the government wants to further improve teachers' dignity and the effectiveness of public education, 24.hu reports.
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