Less School Bureaucracy: Ministry Wants to Drastically Reduce Instructions
Education Minister Christoph Wiederkehr (NEOS) announced a "major debureaucratization initiative" on Tuesday. "I have given the directive that by the next school year, 80 percent of the directives to schools from the ministry will be reduced and eliminated," he said in the Ö1 "Morgenjournal." This concerns circulars to schools that are already outdated. At the same time, a "debureaucratization team" is to be established.
Wiederkehr promises schools a "debureaucratization initiative"
This team is to consist of school leaders, teachers, and external experts and bring "real debureaucratization" to schools to give teachers more freedom and autonomy. Despite budgetary pressures, the ministry will also continue to promote initiatives that provide secretarial staff to compulsory schools (especially primary and middle schools). "It's about expanding and strengthening support while also reducing regulations. We need a cultural shift, namely more service for schools and fewer central directives," emphasized the minister.
The FPÖ welcomed the announced debureaucratization in a statement, but in light of the teacher shortage, it is "only a sideshow" and does not actually solve a single problem. The Greens also supported the goal of debureaucratization. However, in Vienna, where Wiederkehr was recently the city councilor for education, bureaucracy has been further inflated rather than reduced due to NEOS projects.
Second mandatory kindergarten year to come despite savings
Despite the now even worse budget figures, Wiederkehr assumes that the planned second mandatory kindergarten year "will definitely come." The government has agreed to consolidate the budget while simultaneously investing in future areas such as education. It has been possible to secure 120 million euros in active funds for the education sector this year, for example, for language promotion, against violence in the classroom, and for more modern pedagogy.
Negotiations are still ongoing regarding which areas the Ministry of Education will contribute to the planned savings of 1.1 billion euros in the departments. Wiederkehr sees room for maneuver, for example, in fewer external commissions or savings in administrative costs.
(APA/Red)
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