The new school year starts in Austria and that means a huge financial burden, especially for low-income families. To counter this, aid organizations such as Caritas and the Samaritan Association are taking action and calling for donations. “Although there is currently additional state support, we see that the situation is now becoming increasingly difficult for many families,” said Klaus Schwertner, general manager of Caritas Vienna.
According to Caritas, a starter pack for starting a school costs up to 300 euros in regular shops. “Many families can’t afford that, especially because there are additional costs, such as school trips and copying money or tuition,” it said Monday. The situation is exacerbated by inflation.
Study costs will be added
Tuition costs are spread over the school year and are not even included. 20 percent of all parents would like private lessons for their schoolchild. However, 40 percent cannot afford the costs. “If remedial education is well organized in the school, the pressure on privately funded tutoring can be significantly reduced. If there is a good integrated day school, school fees paid will be further reduced – in favor of opportunities for children affected by poverty,” explains Martin Schenk, social expert at Diakonie Austria.
“Education must remain affordable”
“If there are price ceilings for electricity and gas, then such a ceiling is also necessary in the field of education. Because education must also remain affordable in times of record inflation,” says Schwertner. To cope with the situation, the students of “youngCaritas” have started a large collection of school supplies for the summer.
“9195 school children in Vienna and Lower Austria were an important example and collected school materials for children and young people in our facilities,” said Alice Uhl, head of “youngCaritas”. At the same time, the population was called upon to donate well-preserved school supplies to the various Caritas centers.
The Samaritan Association also called for donations
“We want to support these families and make it easier for them to go to school. We urgently need donations to help simply and unbureaucratically,” said Oliver Löhlein, General Manager of the Samaritan Association in Vienna.
Money and donations in kind are welcome
With monetary donations, vouchers and school materials could be obtained and distributed specifically to children from families affected by poverty. In addition, donations in kind such as school bags and backpacks, but also work suitcases, gym bags or stationery or vouchers from stationery stores are gladly accepted.
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.
