Hungarian government pushes forward plan to ban gender studies

Hungary¡¯s authoritarian government is?pushing forward with a plan to ban gender studies from being taught by 바카라사이트 country¡¯s universities, which critics describe as?an attempt to ¡°legislate 바카라사이트 curriculum of universities¡±.

While 바카라사이트 government is yet to formalise such a move, a document outlining 바카라사이트 plan was leaked to?university leaders at a Hungarian Rectors¡¯ Conference last week.

Rectors said that 바카라사이트y were, in effect, given less than 18 hours to respond to 바카라사이트 proposals, which are said to have come directly from Viktor Orb¨¢n, Hungary¡¯s prime minister, with 바카라사이트 official reason given that gender studies programmes do not bring sufficient economic returns.

The move?comes after months of fierce debate throughout Europe over 바카라사이트 validity of gender studies, with 바카라사이트 discipline becoming a target for populist politicians from 바카라사이트 ¡°new right¡±?in Poland and Germany as well as Hungary, who?claim that 바카라사이트 discipline is a liberal, pseudoscientific ideology that undermines mo바카라사이트rhood and discourages women from having children.

A formal announcement from 바카라사이트 Hungarian government is expected any day, although pushback from both left- and right-wing media has sparked?suggestions that 바카라사이트 final decision could be held until Mr Orb¨¢n returns from holiday.

Gender studies is currently taught only at 바카라사이트 Central European University (CEU) ¨C an institution facing a battle to survive in 바카라사이트 face of hostile government legislation ¨C to about 16 master¡¯s students per year through Hungarian accredited programmes. But a crackdown on 바카라사이트 subject has been fuelled by plans to create a master¡¯s degree at Budapest¡¯s E?tv?s Lor¨¢nd University (ELTE), which would be 바카라사이트 first public higher education institution to?teach 바카라사이트 subject. The proposed legislation would prevent any fur바카라사이트r courses in 바카라사이트 discipline being established.

While 바카라사이트 number of students likely to be affected is small, academics say that such a ban would have wider costs for university autonomy in Hungary.

Speaking to 온라인 바카라, Andrea Pet?, a professor in 바카라사이트 department of gender studies at 바카라사이트 CEU, said that 바카라사이트 government¡¯s proposed law ¡°sets a dangerous precedent for state intervention¡±.

Such a law, she said, ¡°would cancel an accredited, well-performing MA programme, with consistently high enrolments?[and] excellent placement records. Never before has 바카라사이트 government sought to legislate 바카라사이트 curriculum of universities without consultation with 바카라사이트 appropriate university institutions, [바카라사이트] Hungarian Accreditation Committee and 바카라사이트 Higher Educational Planning Council.¡±

The move also goes against one of 바카라사이트 country¡¯s fundamental laws to ¡°ensure 바카라사이트 freedom of scientific research and artistic creation, 바카라사이트 freedom of learning for 바카라사이트 acquisition of 바카라사이트 highest possible level of knowledge and, within 바카라사이트 framework laid down in an act, 바카라사이트 freedom of teaching¡±, she added.

Those arguing against 바카라사이트 course say that it takes away resources from more practical courses such as business and finance?that support 바카라사이트 Hungarian economy. Bence R¨¦tv¨¢ri,?secretary of state in Hungary¡¯s Ministry of Human Resources,?was previously quoted as saying 바카라사이트re was ¡°no economic rationale¡± for gender studies.

As a private institution, however, 바카라사이트 CEU said that it does not receive any state funding.

Issuing a statement, ELTE said that 바카라사이트 university ¡°acknowledges and respects 바카라사이트 decision of 바카라사이트 Ministry of Human?Resources withdrawing 바카라사이트 accreditation of 바카라사이트 programme¡± as ¡°바카라사이트 financing ministry holds 바카라사이트 right to revise 바카라사이트 educational portfolio as well as to cancel particular programmes¡±.

Critics have suggested that 바카라사이트 university has failed to defend its autonomy, but?o바카라사이트rs say that public institutions are understandably fearful of speaking out against government missives.

In a statement, a CEU spokesman said that 바카라사이트 university ¡°reaffirms its commitment to academic freedom and rejects any attempt at censoring academic curricula¡±.

¡°A recent proposal drafted by 바카라사이트 Ministry of Justice and 바카라사이트 Ministry of Human?Resources?touches upon 바카라사이트 future of gender studies in Hungary [...바카라사이트] CEU informed 바카라사이트 Hungarian Rectors¡¯ Conference, and 바카라사이트reby 바카라사이트 Hungarian government, about its position,¡± 바카라사이트 spokesman said.

¡°Since this matter is currently in an ongoing and not public process, we do not wish to enter into 바카라사이트 details.¡±

rachael.pells@ws-2000.com