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Almost every fifth child in Austria remains seated - reasons and solutions!
The article analyzes the current challenges of elementary schools in Austria, in particular expectations, repetitions and their effects on students and the education system.
Almost every fifth child in Austria remains seated - reasons and solutions!
The primary school years in Austria represent a major challenge for many children. According to a current analysis by profile Almost 20% of students have to stay in primary school longer than the planned four years. What is particularly striking is that only 80% of children graduate from school in the usual time. An alarm signal for the education system!
The current study shows that 9.5% of children attend preschool, while 9.3% have to repeat a grade. Interestingly, the reasons for repetitions are less due to poor grades and more often to poor knowledge of German. Only 55% of children who do not speak German in everyday life complete elementary school in the allotted time. For children with German as their first language, the success rate is 82%. These figures clearly show how important language training is.
School structures and challenges
The challenges in the school system are diverse. In an elementary school in Vienna, for example, two schools were merged, which led to logistical difficulties. The director of another elementary school warns that repetitions often tear children away from their class and that this has a negative impact on social structures. Studies show that such changes are particularly stressful for children of primary school age.
Statistics from Vorarlberg show that only 0.8% of children with German as their first language and 2.2% with another first language remain in elementary school. In comparison, in Vienna, 57% of students who repeated compulsory schooling were classified as exceptional. Austria has a remarkable 3.4% rate of primary school dropouts, which is well above the OECD average of 1.5%.
Alternative funding approaches
Education expert Susanne Schwab advocates that schools offer support early on instead of relying on repetition. Education directorates and the Ministry of Education are already pursuing alternative funding models. In Burgenland there is the possibility of funded tutoring and other measures to improve performance. The goal: Children should not only advance to the next grade, but also be prepared for a positive school career.
In addition to these measures, repeat examinations are a central component of the Austrian education system. These take place on the first two teaching days of the new school year, unless otherwise specified. School communities can even decide on different times for these exams in order to meet organizational challenges. For students who can provide legitimate reasons, there is even the option of requesting a new exam date in the event of an absence, as with Ministry of Education is to be read.
But not everything is easy: the assessment is carried out by the respective teacher and an assessor, and repeating the re-examination is only possible under certain conditions. The whole thing creates pressure and stress for the students, who already have to struggle with numerous hurdles in the school system.
In summary, Austria's school system is at a crossroads. There is an urgent need to find ways not only to help children achieve better grades, but also to provide them with comprehensive support on their educational journey. A good school environment not only promotes achievement, but also the joy of learning - a goal that should be the top priority for every child.