Schools in Vienna discuss possible phone ban

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Education

Several schools in Vienna are currently considering whether they can ban mobile phones. Phones often disturb the lessons and students also use their smartphones in the breaks. The school board of the city opposes a complete ban. International studies show that nine out of ten teenagers have a mobile phone and half of them have […]

SPÖ wants to see more gay and lesbian teachers

Categories
Education

Gay and lesbian teachers have been a taboo in schools up to now. The SPÖ wants to change this. At the regional party conference, they decided about a legal proposal in order to support these teachers. The Social democrats demand more “sexual variety” in the teacher education. Education plans and training materials would have to […]

More sport activity for pupils needs more cash

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Education

The President of the Vienna School Board, Susanne Brandsteidl, believes the intended introduction of daily gym lessons for full time schools is a positive thing. However, the discussion is still continuing on the issue of financial resources for teachers and gym halls. Around 32,000 children and young people will be affected by the introduction of […]

Pröll outpaces friends and foes in capability check

Categories
Politics

Austria’s longest-serving governor has been identified as the most capable one in the opinion of citizens. A study published by magazine profil shows that 20 per cent of Austrians consider Erwin Pröll, the provincial governor of Lower Austria, as the best of all nine governors. The conservative politician became governor of Austria’s largest province 20 […]

Teachers ready to fight contract reform

Categories
Education

Unionists are alarmed by news that the education ministry plans to make significant changes to teachers’ contracts. Social Democratic (SPÖ) Education Minister Claudia Schmied reportedly wants to abolish various privileges of the country’s teachers. Works council committee officials are especially angered about claims that the minister intends to get rid of clauses which protect academics […]

Burgstaller wants to cut summer holidays

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Education

Gabi Burgstaller is under attack after suggesting shorter holidays for teachers. The Social Democratic (SPÖ) governor of the province of Salzburg said yesterday (Tues) primary and secondary modern teachers “should have holidays of five weeks a year as everyone else”. Burgstaller told the Kurier the nine-week summer break should be cut to help parents. She […]

Teachers too expensive

Categories
Education

The Austrian state auditor has criticised the sharp increase in the cost of teachers in lower Austria. It said that with the teaching costs for compulsory schools alone the increase was around 21 percent. The report on teaching staff costs has now been presented to the regional government. According to the report the region has […]

Clear no to later start of lessons

Categories
Education

Most Austrians reject a later start of school. Viennese public opinion research agency spoke with 500 Austrians to find out more about people’s opinion regarding the start of primary and secondary schools in the morning. Only one in five (20 per cent) of the interviewed citizens said they were in favour of a reform which […]

Anti-truancy official for Vienna

Categories
General News

Horst Tschaikner has been named head of Vienna’s new anti-truancy office. The secondary modern teacher was asked to work on concepts to lower the number of cases of truancy in the Austrian capital, Viennese education issues chief Susanne Brandsteidl said yesterday (Thurs). Brandsteidl claimed that some students were “coming and going like in a cafe”. […]

School salary structure changes planned

Categories
Politics

The government wants to reform teachers’ service law. Social Democratic (SPÖ) Education Minister Claudia Schmied and Finance Minister Maria Fekter of the People’s Party (ÖVP) reportedly agree that teachers should get higher wages in their first years on the job. Such measures would affect the incomes of new teachers but leave the salaries of people […]