According to the education minister, future educators must henceforth declare with their signature that they are not sex offenders. It is legally worthless, says Paul Kimberger, the main representative of the teachers’ union and president of the Christian teachers’ association in Upper Austria. Moreover, the rule does not apply to everyone.
“Our lawyers say that the signature is legally worthless” – says Paul Kimberger, representative of the top teachers’ union and president of the Christian teachers’ association in Upper Austria, Paul Kimberger about the initiative of Education Minister Martin Polaschek that in the future all educators must certify that they are not sex offenders. “There is no question that school is a sensitive area and everything must be done to protect our children and young people,” says Kimberger.
Note is not enough
But such a comment alone is not enough and not thought through to the end, “an overall concept is needed”. The background is that the ministry wants to open a back door to fire teachers if they lie in this matter. But the union believes that it is not that simple, because a dismissal from employment ends up before the labor and social court.
Makes a counterproposal
Franz Bicek, oo. State council of social democratic teachers has a counter-proposal: “We can sign it like all politicians that they are always honest,” he tells the “Krone”. In short, he sees the idea critically. “This puts all teachers under general distrust.”
Musikschulwerk has a prevention program
Karl Geroldinger, director of the state music school, does not want to judge the proposal: “The minister is not responsible for us. Of course we deal with the subject. We have a prevention program.” This raises the question: “How much closeness can there be, how do we treat each other?”
No comment
Education director Alfred Klampfer did not want to comment on the discussion, at the Linz Diocese University of Education, rector Franz Keplinger is somewhat ambivalent: “Anything that is good for the protection of our children is important. But I don’t know if a signature will help.”
„Are you a terrorist?”
The protection of our children is the highest and highest duty, no discussion. But getting young teachers to sign that they aren’t sex offenders goes too far, or not far enough. On the one hand, there is criminal record information showing convictions, which an employer can also request. Or you have to demand the signature of everyone who works with children professionally or in their spare time. But it makes as much sense as asking, “Are you a terrorist?” when you enter the United States.
Source: Krone
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
