Those responsible warn: There is a threat of a teacher shortage in Austria
Wanted: Qualified Teacher. After tourism and care, the education sector is now crying out. A “blatant shortage of teachers” prophesied Thomas Bulant, President of the Union for Compulsory School Teachers. In Vienna, directors are demanding measures against the shortage of staff, like this Ö1 morning journal reported yesterday. The teacher situation is “dramatic”, described the Lower Austrian education director Johann Heuras.
Not every federal state is affected in the same way, says teachers’ union leader Bulant Small newspaper. But in many places, students in their final semester are already on special contracts. “A lot comes together: the wave of retirements, then teachers temporarily retired due to the crisis and the burdens increase,” says Evelyn Kometter, Chairman of the Parents’ Association umbrella organization for compulsory schools. The attractiveness of the job would also suffer due to the increasing administrative effort. There is less time for the actual pedagogy. And in training, there is a need for digital refining and preparation for hotspot schools. Kometter also wants smaller classes and a higher base salary.
Vienna particularly affected
“The issue will not be settled with the salary alone,” believes Henry Himmer, Education Director of Vienna. He is aware of the problem. “Vienna is growing the fastest. We need 50 to 100 additional classes per school year.” He thinks that you have to motivate people who are changing careers. “There is hardly any other industry where you can practice the same job for a lifetime.” the required training (mathematics, computer science, natural sciences, technology) is scarce. Himmer: “We see the need.”
Another topic is the new training. For the permanent “part-time” Master for the secondary level you can need five years. Difficult for young teachers who are supposed to attend compulsory courses in the morning.
“The government must become active in education policy, otherwise it will leave behind a shambles,” demands Bulant. After all, the Minister of Education has 15 million euros Martin Polaschek promised for administrative staff, seven million for school social work.