Four corruption cases at schools and school districts – investigation ongoing
The police are currently investigating four suspected corruption cases at Hungarian educational institutions and school district centres. The Inner-Pest School District Centre and a school in Fehérgyarmat are among those involved.
Corruption investigations in education: four cases still active
According to information from Google News HU — Crime (hu), the police are currently conducting investigations into four suspected corruption cases at Hungarian schools and school district centres. Based on information from the National Police Headquarters (ORFK), the Népszava reported that the proceedings involved include a case affecting the Inner-Pest School District Centre and the Fehérgyarmat Deák Ferenc General School, Grammar School and Dormitory.
In January this year, five ongoing proceedings were recorded. Since then, two have been consolidated and the investigation was closed with a recommendation to press charges. However, a further proceeding was initiated due to suspicion of acceptance of bribery, bringing the number of active cases to four in total. The ORFK did not provide further details about the institutions involved, citing the interests of the ongoing proceedings.
Background: from nine cases to four
In January 2024, nine criminal proceedings were ongoing involving educational institutions or school district centres. Among the cases were investigations initiated on suspicion of abuse of office, embezzlement and breach of trust. Four of these were terminated by January this year.
The former economic director of the Inner-Pest School District Centre was taken into custody in April 2024 in connection with corruption and other material misconduct cases, as well as drug possession. The head teacher of the Fehérgyarmat Deák Ferenc General School, Grammar School and Dormitory was questioned by police in December 2024 on suspicion of embezzlement and breach of trust.
Investigation: control deficiencies and unjustified centralisation
According to previous reports by Eduline, the Ministry of Education and Child Affairs reviewed the operations of the school district centres and the Klebelsberg Centre (KK). The investigation found that in recent years, an excessively centralised management model had gradually been rebuilt, which previously also characterised the operation of KLIK.
According to the ministry, the Klebelsberg Centre – despite being legally an independent central budget organisation at the same level as the school district centres – in practice established an operational management and authorisation system for financial, IT and donation decisions to which it did not have adequate legal authorisation.
According to the investigation, certain decisions by the school districts were linked to central approvals that unjustifiably slowed down their operations. The ministry's finding was that this was not about individual cases but about a deliberate management practice. The review also highlighted that neither in the KK's own operations nor in the oversight of school district finances were adequate control mechanisms established – this increased financial and integrity risks. In several cases, expenses other than those for salaries were financed from the budgetary allocation earmarked for wages.
The future of the Klebelsberg Centre
The Klebelsberg Centre will continue to operate as a research, development and professional support institution in the future – the authorities announced.
Source: Google News HU — Crime (hu)