"Catch-Up Race in Education Policy" Is Coming
In addition to the mobile phone ban, which comes into effect on May 1, and the already announced "debureaucratization offensive" in schools, an enhancement of the teaching profession was also promised.
NEOS see Vienna election as confirmation
Shetty emphasized that due to NEOS' participation in the federal government and Christoph Wiederkehr as Minister of Education, they can now "specifically address" the problems in the education sector and "implement things quickly." Wiederkehr would already be familiar with the problems from his time as City Councilor for Education in Vienna. The result of the Vienna municipal council election on April 27, which brought NEOS a 2.5 percent increase, is seen by Shetty as a confirmation of the pink education policy. "This election result in such a crisis-ridden time also shows that good work was done," emphasized the club chairman.
Specifically, Shetty referred to the implementation of the mobile phone ban in schools from May 1. A draft law on orientation classes will also be reviewed in the coming days, with the introduction of the first classes outside of Vienna targeted for autumn 2025. This is intended to "support" students but also "relieve" teaching staff. The "debureaucratization offensive" in schools will also come into effect immediately and run until the end of the year. 80 percent of the bureaucratic workload is to be eliminated, allowing teachers to "focus on what they were trained for," announced education spokesperson Martina von Künsberg Sarre. According to a NEOS survey, this is desired by two-thirds of the teaching staff.
"Because those who demand must also promote"
The fourth major point mentioned was the increase in German support funds to 62 million euros. "Because those who demand must also promote," said Shetty. Education spokesperson von Künsberg Sarre also emphasized that the school should "not only be a place where children enjoy learning, but also a good workplace for educators." Therefore, it is important that the profession is made more attractive, among other things, through "more practice-oriented training." The reduction of bureaucracy is also a key point in making the teaching profession more attractive.
In the field of early childhood education, von Künsberg Sarre also announced measures, the second mandatory kindergarten year will come. But the expansion of college places for training and the "upskilling" of experienced assistants to educators is also important. A bachelor's degree program will also be introduced, allowing people with an AHS diploma to enter, according to the education spokesperson. The educational framework plan is also "currently being revised," with a decision expected by the summer.
"Doesn't happen overnight"
"All these measures take time, it doesn't happen overnight," emphasized the pink education spokesperson. "Problems were analyzed and known in the past, but nothing was addressed." NEOS will refrain from specific actions on May 1 this time, as they are now in government and, unlike in the past, "no longer reliant on activism," said Shetty. It's about "doing."
(APA/Red)
This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.