New Education Minister Christoph Wiederkehr (NEOS) wants to expand the career changer program "Klasse Job" for teachers to primary schools. A pilot project will start in the fall, which was initiated by Wiederkehr in his previous role as Vienna's City Councilor for Education. "Building on this, the general career change with specific requirements in primary schools should then be made possible," the minister announced in an interview with the APA.

Career Changers as Teachers Common Since 2022

In the "Klasse Job" program, graduates of relevant studies receive a regular teaching contract but must complete a career changer study program at a University of Education (PH) alongside their job. So far, the model, which has been running since 2022 in response to the increasing teacher shortage, was only available from the secondary level (middle school, AHS, BMHS). Starting in September, a pilot project for primary schools will begin in Vienna. It is being conducted by the non-profit educational initiative "Teach for Austria," which has been sending outstanding university graduates to schools with challenging conditions since 2011.

"Concentration Killer" Mobile Phones and "Worrying" German Skills

Other projects that Wiederkehr wants to tackle as quickly as possible are already known from his time as Vienna's City Councilor for Education. As early as next Monday, he wants to consult with experts on a nationwide regulation for a mobile phone ban in schools. These are "concentration killers." In societal conflicts, he will clearly perceive the primacy of politics, he emphasized. "With alcohol and cigarettes, we also don't say: It doesn't matter. Schools should decide for themselves who smokes and drinks when and where." Actually, the education department only emphasized its legal view in mid-February that teachers, parents, and students at the location decide on a mobile phone ban, and guidelines from the ministry or education directorate are therefore not possible. He always wants to consider school autonomy, Wiederkehr reaffirmed, but referred to the use of devices in class.

In addition to the mobile phone ban, quick progress should also be made on the topic of German acquisition. The increase in extraordinary students who speak too little German to follow the lessons is "worrying" not only in Vienna. In addition to the planned mandatory German support courses before the start of school and during the summer holidays, which are already budgeted, there should also be more German support in kindergartens. "German is not optional, German is mandatory for me," said Wiederkehr. Therefore, there are also offensive funds for the opportunity bonus, through which schools with special challenges receive more resources, and additionally for regions with particularly many extraordinary students - these are Vienna and the larger cities in the country.

Violence Prevention in Austria's Schools: Don't Simply Send Away Dangerous Students

On the topic of "Violence-Free School," Wiederkehr also wants to take quick action. There should be "immediate" consultation on how to deal with students who are suspended in the future. It is not a contemporary approach to simply send away students who become a danger to others. Some would even enjoy it and then hang around in the shopping center. Wiederkehr had already demanded resources from the federal government as the city councilor for education so that meaningful work can be done with these children and adolescents in terms of violence prevention. There will also definitely be money for an expansion of school social work.

Wiederkehr for Innovations in Austria's Kindergartens

In kindergartens, Wiederkehr wants to advance many things, even though they are actually a state competence. This should be achieved through the next 15a agreement with the states, which will now be negotiated by him as the Minister of Education and no longer by the Ministry of Family Affairs. In the new agreement from 2027, there will be more money for the states, but at the same time, they must also adhere to nationwide uniform quality standards such as smaller group sizes. This should mean more quality for the children and more planning security for the parents - keyword closing days and places compatible with full-time jobs of both parents. Such nationwide uniform standards have so far always failed due to the resistance of states and municipalities - these are usually the maintainers of the kindergartens. However, this time there is a joint commitment to strengthening elementary education, said the head of the department. "And I am very confident that many things will succeed here as well."

In the first step, Wiederkehr is focusing on a training offensive for kindergarten teachers, as quality can only be improved with more staff. Furthermore, the nationwide educational framework plan, which fixes the educational content in kindergarten, is to be renewed. "Value education and language must have top priority in kindergarten." Therefore, the introduction of a second compulsory kindergarten year is also so important. Currently, 95 percent of four-year-olds already attend an elementary educational institution, but very conservative migrant groups would not send their children to kindergarten, which then becomes a problem for the children's acquisition of German. The start of a second compulsory kindergarten year would be at the earliest with the new 15a agreement in 2027.

"Catch-Up Race" Despite Budget Pressure: Education Minister Shows Optimism

"For me, it is important that the catch-up race begins now," announced Wiederkehr, indicating speed in the reforms. Of the 130 individual measures, he wants to implement "very many" despite the tight budget, not all of which would incur additional costs. It has also been possible to negotiate around 450 million euros for active measures in the education sector for 2025 and 2026. "We have a clear roadmap, and that is exceptional in times of budgetary constraints and budget pressure." It is still unclear for the minister, so shortly after taking office, how he will meet the savings targets intended to prevent an EU deficit procedure. For this, each ministry must save 15 percent of its budget plus subsidies. It is only certain that there will be no savings - as originally considered by the blue-black government negotiators - in the planned "pedagogical-administrative specialists" who are supposed to relieve the management at compulsory schools.

As a long-term project, Wiederkehr has set his sights on changes in the distribution of competencies in the school sector. "I want to live in a state where it is clear who is responsible for what and who is accountable for what." This would make the system more economical and the results better. He does not yet have a target vision, and he is entering the discussions with an open mind. "And I am very aware that this is a project where many have already failed."

(APA/Red)

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