Strong criticism from teachers of new educational concepts: The Minister of Education wants to include constructive suggestions. Experts see fundamental problem areas.
Corona is going through the schools like a ghost. People are prepared for anything, says Education Minister Martin Polaschek (ÖVP). Now he has another problem, already real. Teacher representatives from AHS and compulsory schools are taking a stand against the new curricula. Specifications are difficult to read, barely executable, impractical. Teaching interdisciplinary subjects such as self-awareness, motivation and social skills is “almost impossible” in oversized classes with children of different nationalities and backgrounds. There is also a shortage of teachers.
Minister does not respond to fundamental criticism
What does the Minister of Education say about the criticism? He is constructive. The ‘New Curriculum’ project has been running since 2018. The plans have been drawn up by experts and practitioners. “Of course there was constant coordination with the professional representatives.” Apparently with moderate success. “All changes brought about by the new curricula will require time and technical and organizational support,” the ministry said. Polaschek is delighted with more than 100 responses to the concept. Comments were allowed for ten weeks. Now they will “incorporate constructive suggestions”. The minister does not respond to the fundamental criticism of the teachers.
Education expert on the “birth defects”
Education expert Andreas Salcher sees a general problem: “The birth defect of the so-called ‘new curricula’ was the political demand that the fragmentation of the lesson in up to 21 subjects could not be shaken up.” subjects remain important, it is about the how. According to Salcher, Austria has a procedure that has existed for 80 years.
“But the world has fundamentally changed. And you don’t learn social skills by reading a book or listening to frontal lectures.” It is completely obsolete to impose curricula that have been developed by committees for years on all students. “It takes appreciative relationships between students and teachers, continuous teacher training, individual talent development.”
Headgirl: ‘There must also be content’
The new spokeswoman for the federal school, Flora Schmudermayer, wants more attention to democracy, vocational training and financial education. It is important that the changes, ie the content, actually reach the classrooms. It doesn’t seem like that at the moment.
Source: Krone
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