There are currently eight Austrian schools abroad and there could be more soon: if Education Minister Martin Polaschek has his way, there will be new AHS and BHS, training specialists who will also work in Austria after graduation. Possible locations are already being investigated.
The federal state of Austria operates the schools abroad for various reasons: the educational opportunities in the respective country should be strengthened, young people should be supported and brought into contact with Austria. The instruction is also given in German. Given the enormous shortage of domestic workers, the skilled workers of tomorrow must be trained – the offer is aimed at Austrians living abroad, as well as children and young people from the respective host country.
Such schools already exist in seven locations:
- Budapest: Primary, Secondary and Secondary School
- Prague: Upper Secondary Education
- Istanbul: Oberstufenrealgymnasium and HAK
- Guatemala City: Primary and Secondary School
- Shkodra (Albania): HTL with Fokus on IT
- Querétaro (Mexico): Primary School and AHS
- Liechtenstein: AHS
The last of these schools opened more than a decade ago, but now it has to get going again: Polaschek wants to further develop the schools abroad and has new locations checked. There is no budget or concrete planning (yet), but “the will is there”, says the Minister of Education during a visit to the school abroad in Shkodra, Albania: “The schools abroad are really doing something to make sure ensuring that Austria can benefit from the knowledge of these young people will benefit.”
About 80 percent of the graduates of these schools go abroad after graduation, Austria is said to be the primary target country.
Vocational training in the Balkans
This “incredible potential” must be exploited – that is why the new schools abroad must be tailored to the shortage of skilled workers. For this reason, the Ministry of Education is now focusing on two areas: more vocational schools should be built, with a focus on the Western Balkans. Polaschek: “This is an important strategic partner for us” – the geographical proximity also makes it more attractive for graduates to come to Austria.
In principle, locations around the world would be suitable: “We are currently mainly looking at those countries associated with the European Union – for example, the Caucasus or Moldova,” said Hubertus Schmid-Schmidsfelden, deputy head of the Department of Scientific Research and International Affairs at the Ministry of Education. It is important to find out in which countries the greatest potential – for Austria, but also for the target country – lies.
Who is financing this?
Austrian teachers who teach in schools abroad are paid by Austria. Their salary is based on the base salary of local teachers and there are also foreign allowances. According to Schmid-Schmidsfelden, there are currently about 150 permanent jobs, which corresponds to a financial expenditure of 19 million euros. Further funds – for host country teachers, infrastructure, material costs and more – consist of school fees and school foundation income. Renovations and school fees are partially subsidized.
Source: Krone
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