4483 school children start the new school year next week – Liechtenstein
VADUZ – Rachel Guerra and Hubert Eberle from the school authority provided information on the new school year 2022/23 on Friday. In addition to the number of school children and the situation of the Ukrainian refugee children, the focus was also on some new projects that are to start in the coming school year.
The start of the school year on August 17, 2022 marks the start of a new phase of life for 388 kindergarten children and 361 first graders. In addition, 350 pupils are entering the first year of secondary schools (94 in the Oberschule, 175 in the Realschule and 81 in the Liechtenstein Gymnasium). At the vocational baccalaureate school (BMS), 42 young adults will complete the part-time course (20 in the 1st/2nd semester; 22 in the 3rd/4th semester) and 57 people in the full-time course. A total of 4483 pupils will be carried out in the new school year.
From August, 645 teachers, 17 language assistants and 45 class assistants will also be working in schools. Of these, 12 teachers are starting their first year in the teaching profession. In Liechtenstein, all vacancies were filled with qualified teaching staff on time.
Schooling for Ukrainian refugee children
When school starts, 55 pupils from the Ukraine will also be enrolled in kindergarten, primary school, secondary school, secondary school, grammar school and the 10th school year. The Ukrainian students are spread across almost all schools in the country; their enrollment was prepared with the teachers and the school authorities. After entering regular classes, the students receive additional support to improve their language skills. 20 students are still needed in the learning hub in Balzers and Triesen until they have acquired sufficient German language skills for regular classes.
LiLe: Introductory phase extended, website renewed
In its last meeting before the summer break, the government decided to extend the LiLe introductory phase by one year. Although all schools continued to work intensively on the implementation of the curriculum despite the Covid 19 pandemic, important further training courses could not take place due to the contact restrictions. These will now be made up for. The introduction of the LiLe will thus be completed in the summer of 2024.
The previous site www.lile.li has been revised and is now intended to offer all interested parties a clear “roadmap” for kindergarten and compulsory schooling in Liechtenstein.
Expansion of school social work
School social work was offered in Liechtenstein schools from secondary level I up until the end of the 2019/20 school year. Due to the positive experiences over the past decade, school social work has been gradually extended to all community schools in the state since 2020. At the end of the year, school social work is to be offered at every school. This offers students additional help in challenging interpersonal situations. In addition, school social work strengthens teachers and parents in their educational tasks and supports the school in socio-educational matters and crisis situations, stressed Guerra.
“Checks” as a location determination
According to Guerra, a pilot implementation of the performance surveys “Check your knowledge”, “Checks” took place at several schools last school year. After a successful evaluation, these performance surveys will be introduced across the board in public schools. The checks are carried out at the end of the 2nd, 6th and 9th grade. Competencies in German and mathematics are recorded, as well as in English at the end of the 6th and 9th grade. The checks lead to detailed feedback on the services provided. Above all, they are intended to serve as a point of reference for the teachers and offer them an opportunity to reflect on their own teaching. Furthermore, they can be used as a basis for support planning. The results should offer a general insight into the quality of the Liechtenstein education system and be included in the education report, which is published every four years.
Movement thanks to FlickFlack
The new project “FlickFlack” competently focuses on promoting physical activity and health in school and in the classroom. FlickFlack will be introduced this school year and will be integrated into everyday school life by 2025. Schools should be supported in teaching children and young people sufficient exercise, good body awareness and ergonomic principles. The project replaces and expands the “Back Academy” (posture gymnastics) and is intended to benefit all students from kindergarten to secondary school.
Forest kindergarten pilot project started
In Eschen, the forest kindergarten is also beginning for 16 kindergarten children for the first time, which will initially be in a four-year pilot phase. The lessons, which specifically follow the LiLe, take place four days a week (in almost any weather) in the forest. One day of teaching is held in the “Schönabüel” kindergarten in Eschen.