The reorganisation of the education system has been the greatest achievement of the government in the past two and a half years, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said on public Kossuth Rádió on Sunday morning.

The Prime Minister said that the new education system, created in response to a number of problems both in public and in higher education, will be commissioned and fine-tuned in 2013. As an example for the problems in education, he said that school leavers often lack basic skills or hold certificates that prove to be worthless on the labour market.

Viktor Orbán also referred to recent student protests against reforms in higher education, and said that - just like back in the 1980’s when he himself was part of the student movement – “talented people may appear, who some time could be entrusted with large pieces of our public affairs.”

The Prime Minister also pointed out that it is employment that ensures a way out of poverty, emphasizing that 160,000 more people are working now in 2010. He added that the government's earlier pledge to create one million jobs in ten years is likely to be met. He also said that in 2013, national economy could be put back on a growth path.

On the subject of Hungary’s European affairs, he said that the government was committed to protecting the country's interests, adding that it is gratifying that earlier criticised Hungarian measures such as the bank levy or special taxes, or the recent reduction of utility charges are being implemented by other European countries. Hungary’s achievements will restore Europe’s support to the country, he added.

(Prime Minister's Office; MTI)