Thousands of teachers in Hungary are abandoning the profession, trade unions have predicted. A wave of resignations began after the country's parliament adopted a new law last month that educators say increases their workload and restricts their rights.

Teachers are warning the exodus could have damaging consequences for the entire country. Ana Kovaks has worked at her current school for the past seven years, but is now carrying a resignation letter.

She is one of nearly 2,000 teachers in Hungary who have quit or initiated their retirement in recent weeks, according to Teachers' Trade Union (PSZ), after the Prime Minister Victor Orban's government approved the so-called 'status' law.

"No one wants to be a teacher with these conditions, with this salary," said Kovaks.

The bill was passed with the support of most of Hungary's members of parliament, where Orban's hard-right Fidesz party holds a two-thirds majority.

According to the country's main teachers' unions, the new measure raises the number of weekly teaching hours and limits their autonomy. They add that the government also now has the power to relocate teachers at any given time.

"The future of students in Hungary is now in danger; they will not receive a quality education, which is something this government must ensure," said Elizabeth Nagy, a teachers' union representative.

Following the law's adoption, Hungary's government said in a statement that the bill would benefit the country's education system as it "aims to improve the social, professional and financial standing of teachers and educators."

Lawmakers also argue it will ensure steady wage increases and stated that they do not expect mass resignations, preferring to wait for concrete figures rather than what it describes as predictions. 

However, it has linked those pay hikes to the receipt of EU funds which are currently blocked due to concerns in Brussels over allegations of corruption and rule-of-law conflicts in Hungary.‌

Hungary's teachers' unions expect the wave of resignations to continue until the start of the upcoming school year next month. They warn many classrooms will be without teachers when students return.

‌Ana Kovaks says most of her colleagues are disillusioned and burnt out.

That's after nearly a year or protests where they have been demanding better working conditions. Now huge numbers are leaving the jobs they once loved.

"It will be very interesting what will happen in September or October when everyone realizes their children don't have teachers in math or biology or other subjects. There will be no teachers on the market," said Kovaks.

Teachers say the new law has put the education of an entire generation of Hungarian students at risk, which will have consequences far beyond the classroom.

Subscribe to Storyboard: A weekly newsletter bringing you the best of CGTN every Friday