Dramatic appeal: Retirement will soon lead to a teacher shortage. In our school system the principle applies: if only one child in a class needs Catholic religious education, it will be offered – in whatever form and group arrangement. “We do not leave any child alone,” confirms Andrea Pinz, head of the archiepiscopal office for schools and education.
Another subject, on the other hand, causes much greater concern on her forehead. Because if things continue as before, the Austrian school system – in terms of religious education – is heading for an emergency for teachers. “The challenge is not the kids, but the coming wave of retirements,” Pinz told the Krone.
The numbers she has ready are alarming. In Austria, 6,900 religious education teachers work at the blackboard. 2800 of them are between 51 and 60 years old, 780 even older than 60 years. The consequences: Thousands of them will retire in the coming years. Which wouldn’t be a problem, but the offspring are shy. Only 300 to 350 graduates leave universities each year, many of whom would like to work part-time. The reasons are diverse: Pinz knows that the image of church professions is not particularly high. Even the lessons in Corona times were not a lure.
In Vienna, the numbers look no better. More than half (820) of the 1450 teachers are older than 50. Primary schools are particularly affected. They are working hard to absorb the pension wave and to find enough teachers.
Side entrance for teachers will be easier from autumn
Even career changers will find it easier to transition from winter semester 2022/23 with the university course “Teaching Religion in Elementary School”. In the short term, however, it is inevitable, according to Pinz, to teach religious groups together or to offer the subject in block classes. In any case, she wants to prevent one thing with all her might: ‘That even one child does not get a religion lesson.’
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.
