For a future built on education
In Österreich wird das Kindergartenangebot stetig ausgebaut, doch gleichzeitig kämpfen die Einrichtungen mit Herausforderungen wie Personalmangel und teils schlechten Rahmenbedingungen. Das Netzwerk Elementarer Bildung Österreichs (NEBÖ) und andere Initiativen wie Educare haben deshalb eine Petition gestartet, die die Regierung dazu aufruft, dringend notwendige Verbesserungen vorzunehmen. Unter dem Motto „Elementare Bildung ist MEHR wert“ setzt sich die Petition für grundlegende Veränderungen im Bildungsbereich ein.
The current situation: budget, childcare ratios and more
The petition underlines that the announced investment of EUR 4.5 billion by 2030 by the federal government is a step in the right direction, but is not enough in the opinion of NEBÖ spokesperson Natascha Taslimi. Austria currently lags far behind Scandinavian countries in terms of spending on primary education, with only 0.7 percent of GDP.
The central demands of the petition include not only an increase in the budget, but also improved childcare conditions in the groups. The shortage of staff is identified as one of the biggest challenges for nursery schools. Although sufficient elementary educators are being trained, fewer and fewer are willing to work under the current conditions.
Scientific recommendations and the reality on the ground
While scientific recommendations envisage three to seven children per specialist, Austria is currently faced with the problem that one teacher can have up to 25 children. Education activist Daniel Landau emphasizes that this is only aimed at supervision and protection from injury. The petition hopes to support a movement against this inadequate form of care.
The petition in detail: More money, better care and minimum standards
The petition, which can be signed until March, demands not only more money and better childcare conditions, but also a right to a full-day, free place in kindergarten or after-school care for every child. Parents should be given a free choice of provision. It is also criticized that many children have no access to elementary education due to their place of residence or a disability.
In addition, a nationwide framework law is required that prescribes minimum standards in kindergartens and after-school care centers, including fair pay. Currently, these regulations are the responsibility of the individual federal states. The petition also calls for more academic training, as Austria is one of only two countries in Europe without an undergraduate academic education.
Outlook and quality assurance
The petition also sets out requirements for day-to-day work in the kindergartens, including reserving at least a quarter of working hours for preparing work in the groups and for meetings with parents. Managers should be released from their duties and staff should be employed for administration, housekeeping and manual work. Quality assurance should be carried out by an independent institute that develops and reviews the standards in kindergartens and after-school care centers.
Die Petition „Elementare Bildung ist MEHR wert“ ist ein wichtiger Schritt, um auf die drängenden Probleme im Bildungsbereich aufmerksam zu machen. Die Unterstützung dieser Petition ist nicht nur ein Appell an die Regierung, sondern auch ein Beitrag zur Schaffung einer soliden Grundlage für die Zukunft unserer Society.
It's time to give elementary education the appreciation it deserves. So, what are you waiting for, sign up now: https://www.openpetition.eu/at/petition/online/elementare-bildung-ist-mehr-wert
