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.

There are already similar models 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 change in the law with the coming school year.

The orientation classes are intended to ease 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 lateral entrants with insufficient school experience and German language skills will attend an orientation class is to be decided after an orientation discussion. During this, the children's prior school experience, their level of literacy, and other information important for everyday school life will be gathered. How many such classes will be necessary in the next school year, Wiederkehr could not yet estimate on Wednesday.

For the implementation of 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 incorporated. 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. The attendance lasts on average 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 the school routine.

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.

FPÖ Demands a Stop to "Illegal Mass Immigration"

For the FPÖ, the orientation classes do nothing to prevent schools from being overwhelmed by students who can neither speak German nor read and write. Instead of "mere symptom treatment," family reunification and "illegal mass immigration" must be stopped, demanded FPÖ General Secretary Michael Schnedlitz in a press release.

In contrast, the Green Party's education and integration spokesperson Sigrid Maurer saw in a press release an important step to specifically support and prepare newly arrived students in Austria for school. "But it is also clear: Without additional resources, orientation classes remain a nice concept on paper." It is important that the specific implementation is decided autonomously by schools and that there is enough staff to ensure adequate support and actually relieve schools and teaching staff.

(APA/Red)

This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.