School Start for Migrant Children in Future Orientation Classes
The government plans to introduce orientation classes for children and adolescents who come to Austria through family reunification. In these classes, they are to acquire initial German language skills and basic skills necessary for attending school before moving to a regular or German support class. A corresponding concept is to be decided in the Council of Ministers on Wednesday.
Similar models already exist in Vienna and Vorarlberg. The planned nationwide introduction is a response to the increasing demand: Since 2023, more children of asylum seekers and those with subsidiary protection have come to Austria, who often have little to no prior school experience due to their experiences of fleeing. In addition to lacking German language skills, many also lack basic social competencies or literacy.
Orientation Classes as the First Stage of Integration
If this group attends a regular or German support class from day one, "it overwhelms the children and adolescents and overwhelms the school system," emphasized Education Minister Christoph Wiederkehr (NEOS) in the foyer after the Council of Ministers. Therefore, Vienna and Vorarlberg have started their own trials to introduce orientation classes. Now, a legal basis for this is to be created through a legislative amendment with the coming school year.
The orientation classes are intended to ease the entry of these children and adolescents into the Austrian school system by providing them with up to a semester of initial orientation in their own, cross-grade class-like group. The focus is on initial German language skills, basic skills necessary for attending school such as holding pencils or cutting with scissors, as well as "imparting relevant values and principles for living together in a democratic society (such as respect, equality, tolerance, responsibility, and self-determination)." Within the framework of the orientation classes, parents are also to be informed about rules and obligations in society and in the school context.
Duration of Attendance Not Yet Fixed
Which career changers with insufficient school experience and German language skills should attend an orientation class will be decided after an orientation interview. During this process, the children's previous school experience, their level of literacy, and other information important for everyday school life are collected. How many such classes will be necessary in the next school year, Wiederkehr could not yet estimate on Wednesday.
To implement the concept, the Ministry of Education has already developed content materials, such as a curriculum and other teaching aids. Additionally, school psychology and integration offers can be included. The government is now working on a joint draft law for the legal anchoring of the model.
Models from Vienna and Vorarlberg as Examples
In Vienna, the orientation classes were introduced in 2023. There, attendance lasts an average of two months. So far, over 500 children have participated. In addition to imparting basic school knowledge, there is also a special offer for parents to involve them in everyday school life.
In Vorarlberg, the pilot project "Learning Space School and Culture" has been running since autumn 2024. Around 40 children attend a dislocated German support class there, but remain in their regular school for sports, crafts, and music lessons. Only after passing the MIKA-D test do they switch to a regular German support class. Education Councillor Barbara Schöbi-Fink (ÖVP) draws a positive conclusion: "It is a great opportunity for the students and at the same time relieves the regular school." Another location is under review.
(APA/Red)
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