Debrecen4U
November 27, 2025
A nearly 237‑million‑forint development project is enhancing care and support for children with special educational needs in Debrecen
New, modern tools and professional training help the development of children with special educational needs from the support that the Debrecen School District Center has received. The quality of care in four institutions is being improved with almost HUF 237 million from EU and domestic sources. The development program was presented at a press briefing on November 27, 2025.
At the Bárczi Gusztáv Unified Special Education Institution’s developmental school, 34 children are taught in four groups. In this work, teachers are also supported by a sensory room. The so‑called “snoezelen” room is a dark, safe, and stimulating‑rich environment. Here, various lights, sounds, and textures stimulate the senses, helping children to relieve tension and improve their mental health. Now this room can be further developed at Bárczi.
“We are purchasing bubble columns, special mirrors, screening walls, and conductive therapy devices, and this helps us to get as close as possible to our severely, multiply injured, and non-speaking children,” said Anikó Kovács, Director General of Bárczi Gusztáv, EGYMI.
All of this can be realized from the grant that the Debrecen School District Center won. In addition to Bárczi, the educational institution for visually impaired children, the school for the hearing impaired, and the Hajdú-Bihar County Pedagogical Service will also receive support from the almost HUF 237 million grant. This affects approximately 2,100 children and 200 professionals.
“80 percent of the grant must be spent on equipment purchases. These are very expensive devices. It is also a great help for the maintainer that these special devices, which are necessary for the education and training of students with special educational needs, are present in the institutions,” pointed out László Türk, director of the Debrecen School District Center.
Katalin Balatoni, the Prime Minister’s Commissioner responsible for promoting pedagogical innovations and strengthening the family-friendly educational environment, stated that in addition to Debrecen, 55 other school districts are helping to create opportunities for children with special needs.
“The most important thing is the development and support of children, the assistance of families, and of course the support of the professionals who work with them. Therefore, we have launched a tender with a budget of HUF 10 billion in order to help the work of all those across the country who deal with them, whether they are parents, teachers, or educators,” explained the Prime Minister’s Commissioner.
Deputy Mayor Diána Széles stated that these developments not only support the work of professionals but also help families raising children with special needs.
‘If there is a place where we can be sure our child is safe, where we can take them and know that they are not only cared for but also developed, that can give families tremendous strength,’ added the Deputy Mayor.
As part of the tender, an equipment rental service will also be established, which will provide special developmental tools free of charge to all institutions.
Source ansd photo credit:debrecen.hu
