Hungary launches new program to support Transcarpathian Hungarians

Minister of State Responsible for National Policy János Árpád Potápi opened a modern physics laboratory at Ungvár National University Hungarian-language department.

The Hungarian government will do everything it can to ensure that Transcarpathian Hungarians can pursue their studies from kindergarten to university on their mother tongue. It is important that Hungarian parents enroll their children in Hungarian language schools because knowledge can be thoroughly acquired only by studying on mother tongue said the politician.

Potápi also announced that the government launches a new assistance program starting on October 15; the goal is to encourage ethnic Hungarians to stay in their homeland. The government will pay salary supplements to Hungarian speaking doctors and health workers as well as the arts and music school teachers.

The Transcarpathian Hungarian community must remain strong; the invaluable work of intellectuals – teachers, clergymen and doctors must be recognized; they must be encouraged not to leave their professions, and their homeland. Potápi pointed out that Hungary is already supporting school and kindergarten teachers, and pastors adding that the government will continue supporting the Transcarpathian Hungarian community and their institutions even in these difficult economic times.