By 2030, 13,700 additional kindergarten teachers will be needed. In practice, however, there are already too few staff. Education Minister Martin Polaschek (ÖVP) presented on Thursday how more people should be attracted to the profession.
The ministry has launched a training offensive. Until now, kindergarten teachers have been regularly trained at the Federal Educational Institutions for Basic Education (Bafep), especially in the five-year forms with a high school diploma. However, after these schools, only 55 percent actually go to kindergarten. Bafeps also has colleges for adults; the number of places here has already expanded in recent years.
Offers for career changers
The ministry wants to continue on this path. By 2030, there should be an additional 6,300 college graduates. In addition, various offers have been created for career changers. Through the “Elementar+” program, assistants can receive further training to become group leaders. This offering is expected to create 8,750 additional skilled workers by 2030.
The share of Bafep graduates who enter the workforce should be increased to 75 percent in the long term. The focus is, among other things, on more practical relevance in the curricula, responsible section head Margareta Scheuringer said on Thursday.
ÖGB lacks better working conditions
Polaschek admitted that working conditions in kindergartens must also be suitable. In practice, there is regular criticism of groups that are too large and poor care ratios. Recently, kindergarten staff have protested several times for better conditions.
Chamber of Commerce approves plans
There were also critical tones from the association on Thursday. “The hat is on fire in primary education. In addition to new staff, it is urgent to ensure that teachers and assistants can work happily and healthily in this field again,” said ÖGB President Korinna Schumann. The ÖGB and the Chamber of Labor have already put concrete proposals on the table, the government just needs to seriously examine and implement them.
However, approval of Polaschek’s plans came from the Chamber of Commerce and the Association of Industrialists. In this way, education for young children will be strengthened.
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.
