The headscarf ban is over. Other matters give Minister of Education Martin Polaschek (ÖVP) a headache. IA. Care or financing for the little ones. Instead of an annual kindergarten billion, there are only 200 million.
The headscarf ban is just a utopia. Under the new 15a agreement between the federal and state governments, history is a hotly debated afterthought. The Federal Chancellery announced this on Thursday. The Constitutional Service had previously concluded in a statement that the headscarf ban “should be incompatible with the federal constitution”.
Corona: Herbst should be uncomfortable
The responsible Minister of Education is Martin Polaschek. Other things give him a lot more headaches than towels. He has been in office since December last year. “We have a lot of problems that we have to deal with,” he said in an interview with “Krone”. Autumn should be uncomfortable. “We develop strategies to be prepared. There is a close collaboration.” Other important topics are digitization and care. Two construction sites. Also for those responsible for the education agendas.
“Milestone” in care, heavy block on the leg
“We have taken the first steps to make the nursing profession more attractive. With more salary, better education. Also anchored in the regular school system.” There are currently 15 pilot school projects. “The response is very strong. More than 600 students since 2020.”
The substantial investment by the government, including subsidies and incentives for switching, is a milestone, says the minister. Which is generally also regarded by critical minds as at least an important first step.
Martin Polaschek is less happy to talk about a heavy blockade on the ministerial leg. The billion a year demanded by the opposition, states, communities, AK and economists for primary education for children under three. It stays at a billion, but for five years. So only 200 million a year. Only 57.5 million euros more than before, criticizes the SPÖ in particular.
Criticism from the opposition: ‘No big throws’
There is therefore still no legal right to day care for all children. “It would have been time to present big hits as a lesson from the pandemic. Instead, there is a drop in the ocean.”
There will be a meeting with the countries on Friday. The minister wants to explain his plans. This should not be a relaxed consultation for the university professor. Minister Martin Polaschek does not like to talk about this problem area. To the “Krone” he says: “Soon there will be a corresponding message.”
Need to catch up in the “digital revolution”
The professor talks extensively about digitization. Austria has a lot to catch up on, he knows from his own experience.
Under predecessor Heinz Faßmann, the purchase of laptops for schools was celebrated as a “digital revolution”. “It can’t do that. It also needs training in media literacy and implementation of new tools. There will be a tender for projects worth 40 million soon.” Important steps Many more will likely be needed.
Source: Krone
I’m an experienced news author and editor based in New York City. I specialize in covering healthcare news stories for Today Times Live, helping to keep readers informed on the latest developments related to the industry. I have a deep understanding of medical topics, including emerging treatments and drugs, the changing laws that regulate healthcare providers, and other matters that affect public health.
