Debrecen4U November 27, 2025

Nearly HUF 237 Million Project Boosts Support for Children with Special Educational Needs in Debrecen

With the support received by the Debrecen School District Center, new modern tools and professional training are enhancing the development of children with special educational needs.

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 developmental school of the Bárczi Gusztáv Unified Special Education Institution, 34 children are taught in four groups. Their teachers are supported by a sensory room, known as the “snoezelen” room—a dark, safe, and stimulus‑rich environment. Here, lights, sounds, and textures engage the senses, helping children to release tension and enhance their mental well‑being. This unique space at Bárczi is now set to undergo further development.

“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,” Anikó Kovács, Director of the Bárczi Gusztáv Unified Special Education Institution, said.

All of this is made possible by the grant awarded to the Debrecen School District Center. In addition to Bárczi, support from the nearly HUF 237 million funding will also benefit the institution for visually impaired children, the school for the hearing impaired, and the Hajdú‑Bihar County Pedagogical Service. Altogether, the development will impact around 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,” László Türk, Director of the Debrecen School District Center, pointed out.

Katalin Balatoni, the Prime Minister’s Commissioner for promoting pedagogical innovation and fostering a family‑friendly educational environment, emphasized that alongside Debrecen, 55 other school districts are contributing to creating opportunities for children with special needs.

“The priority is the development and support of children, the assistance of families, and, of course, the professionals who work with them. That is why we have launched a tender with a budget of HUF 10 billion to strengthen the efforts of everyone across the country who cares for them—be they parents, teachers, or educators,” she explained.

Deputy Mayor of Debrecen 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 families can be certain their child is safe—where they know the child is not only cared for but also supported in their development—that provides families with tremendous strength,” she added.

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