Teachers warn of collapse in schools
education
Teachers’ unions warn that Salzburg’s schools are on the verge of collapse – because in addition to the daily test chaos and the constant alternation between face-to-face and distance learning, the schools are also given new tasks by school quality management.
The teachers and directors at Salzburg’s schools are literally “running out of breath” just two weeks after the Christmas holidays, warned teachers’ trade unionist Christine Haslauer. “We feel it very strongly that the pressure and the strain is already so great in January. We usually only have such discussions at the end of the school year.”
Move quality management system
This is mainly due to the ongoing test chaos in schools and the back and forth between distance learning and classroom teaching. Around ten percent of all Salzburg school classes are currently in distance learning. But instead of relieving the schools, the introduction of the new quality management system is currently being expected, criticized Haslauer. “Now the enrollment has to take place, and many work steps have to be carried out by directors in particular, and we see it as easy that this is now being postponed – also by the federal government. And that relieves the schools now, because that would really be noticeable, and that’s what we demand.”
Support from the Education Minister
Support for the demand comes from Education Councilor Daniela Gutschi (ÖVP). In addition, she wants to press for further simplifications in the school sector at a video conference with ÖVP Education Minister Martin Polaschek on Thursday.
No bottlenecks in teaching staff
Since the last Friday of the week, 107 teachers across the country have been in quarantine at home. Most of the sick leave can be compensated for by deliveries – more on this in No bottlenecks in schools despite the CoV wave (salzburg.ORF.at; January 26, 2022).