Abolish the Matura? Debate about SP demand continues

2023-11-19 20:05:00

On Saturday, the Vienna SPÖ came together for their conference under the motto “Education.Strong for the Future”. “A strong education system is an education system that takes everyone along,” said Vienna Mayor Michael Ludwig (SP). Several proposals were approved. The suggestions for the Matura were particularly eye-catching. This needs to be reformed because it no longer meets current requirements. Instead, students should present their knowledge in a practice-oriented, semester-long project.

Also included are applications for the right to a kindergarten place from the first year of life, a comprehensive school for six to 14 year olds, free all-day schools and free lunch for compulsory students.

“Our education system must finally arrive in the 21st century,” said the chairman of the Socialist Youth (SJ) Paul Stich about the planned Matura reform. “Anyone who has passed all exams for at least twelve years does not need a final decision day,” explained Stich: “We suggest replacing the Matura with practice-oriented project work.” This was already decided in 2021 at the SP party conference at the request of the SJ. He is pleased with the Viennese SP’s confession that there is a need for action here.

Chamber of Labor President Renate Anderl also supports the reform plan. The Matura has lost its importance as a key to further education; the students receive a certificate from their graduating class anyway. “So why again,” said Anderl in the ORF press hour about the need for a high school diploma.

ÖVP and FPÖ cannot do anything with the SP plans. “The school leaving exam is a crucial milestone for high school students,” said Education Minister Martin Polaschek (VP). He also advocated maintaining school grades, which the SPÖ also wants to abolish, and spoke of the “brains of left-wing dreamers.” Abolishing the Matura is out of the question.

FP education spokesman Hermann Brückl warned of “nonsense from the SPÖ’s left-wing anti-achievement fund”. The school leaving examination must be reformed in order to increase its value and quality, which suffered massively under the black-green coalition, said Brückl.