Austria’s National Council convened Thursday with a focus on proposed curriculum reforms, as Education Minister Christoph Wiederkehr of the NEOS party defended plans to prioritize artificial intelligence and computer science within the AHS upper-level secondary school system.
The proposals, which would involve reducing emphasis on Latin and a second foreign language, have drawn skepticism from coalition partners, the Austrian People’s Party (ÖVP) and the Social Democratic Party of Austria (SPÖ). Wiederkehr has scheduled discussions with both parties in early March to address what he termed “misunderstandings” regarding the changes.
“It’s not about changing humanistic education, but about updating it,” Wiederkehr stated during the parliamentary session. “The goal of humanism has always been to empower people to navigate their environment. Today, there are different issues than there were 30 years ago.” He emphasized the continued importance of foundational skills like reading, writing, and arithmetic, but argued that 21st-century students also require critical thinking, communication, and collaboration skills.
Wiederkehr acknowledged the need to balance new additions to the curriculum with reductions in existing content to avoid overburdening teachers and students. The Minister’s comments came during an “Aktuelle Stunde” – a dedicated parliamentary session for urgent debate – focused on education policy.
Hermann Brückl, education spokesperson for the Freedom Party of Austria (FPÖ), characterized the session as a “pink PR show,” a reference to the NEOS party’s color. Though, Sigrid Maurer, deputy club chairwoman for the Green Party, offered a more receptive assessment, stating that increased focus on AI and reduced emphasis on Latin “sounds good,” while also noting that the proposals remain largely undefined.
The National Council also addressed legislation requiring retailers to clearly indicate instances of “shrinkflation” – the practice of reducing product size while maintaining the same packaging – beginning in April 2026. The law passed with the support of all parties except the FPÖ, which voiced concerns about increased administrative burdens. According to the parliamentary website, the measure aims to empower consumers by making hidden price increases more transparent.
On Wednesday, the National Council began its February session, which is limited to a single regular meeting. The anti-shrinkflation law was among the items considered for approval, according to ORF, the Austrian Broadcasting Corporation.
