2024-04-18 03:04:26
University rights package passes the National Council with a majority from the ÖVP and the Greens
Vienna (PK) – Changes to teacher training New are part of a higher education law package that was announced today National Council was decided with the votes of the ÖVP and the Greens. With the adaptation of teacher training to the Bologna model, bachelor’s studies for teaching will in future last three years and the subsequent master’s studies two years. For prospective secondary school teachers, this means their studies are shortened by one year. Other aspects of the amendment include provisions for continuing education at higher education, access regulations for highly sought-after master’s programs and quality assurance of study operations and research.
The MPs from the ÖVP and the Greens welcomed the reform as an important step to make the teaching profession more attractive. Above all, they were convinced that the practical relevance of the training would be increased and entry into professional life would be made easier. However, from the perspective of the SPÖ, FPÖ and NEOS, the amendment did not go far enough in this respect and did not justify approval. The opposition unanimously called for a rapid implementation of a reform of teacher service law.
Further development of teacher training New
The one passed by a majority of the National Council University Law Package brings changes to the University Act, the Higher Education Act, the University Quality Assurance Act, the University of Applied Sciences Act and the Private University Act. The amendment also amended the Forest Fund Act after important provisions on double funding were not taken into account in the last amendment due to a legislative oversight.
A key change for the primary school teacher training program from 2025/26 will mean structuring it as a three-year bachelor’s and two-year master’s degree. This study structure will apply to secondary school teacher training from 2026/27. This change in the study structure affects the curricula, which are to be comprehensively redesigned and quality assured. As part of secondary school education (general education), a so-called subject bundle may in future be offered instead of two subjects or one subject and one specialization. This means that more than two overlapping subjects can be completed. Another focus of the amendment is the expansion of a “professional” study program for the teaching profession.
The amendment also makes clarifications for the management bodies of private universities as well as regulations for master’s programs that are in particularly high demand. In order to ensure veterinary care, especially official veterinary care in Austria, and to ensure the tasks of veterinary and food control, in the event of a shortage, applicants who can demonstrably commit themselves to work in a state institution in the public interest should be given preferential treatment.
SPÖ misses important steps such as service law reform
SPÖ MP Petra Tanzler criticized that the amendment left important reform steps in teacher training open, which is why the SPÖ could not agree to it. There is still a lack of new employment law, which would be necessary to create more attractive conditions for the teaching profession. Shortening your studies alone is not enough. Among other things, Tanzler also missed a clear implementation of the announced stronger practical relevance of the studies, which would ensure that students are optimally prepared for lessons in the class.
Andrea Kuntzl (SPÖ) regretted that the amendment would more heavily regulate and restrict access to master’s programs and spoke of a “painful failure” by the Greens. Kuntzl also discussed the increase in temporary employment contracts at universities, which, in her view, is detrimental to the science location. The Science Minister has already announced steps towards a maximum quota of such contracts at universities, but the chain contract regulations would have to be fundamentally revised.
ÖVP: Teacher training courses are becoming more practical and attractive
Rudolf Taschner (ÖVP) found that the improvement in teacher training that has been called for for a long time is being implemented well with the amendment. You will receive a sensible new study structure that will create a basis for training teachers with professional qualifications and corresponding didactic skills. With appropriate transitional provisions, switching to the new study structure will be possible immediately. Studying will now be significantly more attractive, with further improvements still to come.
Gertraud Salzmann (ÖVP) found that the present reform would make it possible to significantly shorten the teacher training course without any loss of quality and to increase its practical relevance. Starting a career is becoming more attractive. This will make it easier to complete your master’s degree while working. The induction phase also experiences positive development, which relieves the burden on young professionals. The necessary amendment to service law is also already being drafted, said Salzmann at the meeting.
Romana Deckenbacher (ÖVP) said that in view of the fact that the conditions in schools are becoming more and more challenging, it is important that teacher training is further developed towards equivalent academic training for all types of schools. Austria has so far had teacher training that is far too long and too theory-heavy, noted Agnes Totter (ÖVP). Now the bachelor’s degree is being shortened to three years and the practical relevance is being increased.
ÖVP MP Josef Smolle saw a big improvement, especially in master’s studies. An important step will also be taken for private universities. In the future, economic and scientific management must be clearly separated. In the future, the regulations for good scientific practice would also take into account questions of artificial intelligence. This is a contemporary adjustment.
FPÖ calls for further shortening of studies
According to Hermann Brückl (FPÖ), the change in the training of teachers does not in itself represent a reform. In any case, he cannot identify the necessary steps to combat the acute shortage of teachers. Therefore, his group will not give its consent. Shortening the training in secondary school is a right step. At the primary level, however, the actual length of the course of study does not change. According to Brückl, these would first have to be implemented in the form of more flexible employment law and a reduction in the administrative burden at schools. Brückl also suggested considering whether three-year training could be created for the primary level and offered at technical colleges in the same way as other shortage occupations.
Greens: Reform brings significant improvements for young teachers
Sibylle Hamann (Greens) emphasized that the consensus for the reform of teacher training was not easy to achieve. Ultimately, however, it was achieved and brought important steps such as shortening the length of study. This is not an end in itself, but is linked to strengthening practical relevance and career entry. A right step would be to make the discussion of “German as a second language” a mandatory part of the training. The fan bundles are also a step in the right direction. Hamann was convinced that the situation of young teachers would be significantly improved with this reform.
NEOS: Reform is a missed opportunity
The amendment offers some good points, but these are not enough to rate it positively overall, said Martina Künsberg Sarre (NEOS). Positive aspects include adapting the study structure to the Bologna model, the possibility of creating subject bundles and shortening the course of study. However, the desire of many young teachers for more subject didactics was not taken into account. A key reason why the NEOS could not agree to the amendment is the lack of a service law reform. It is also regrettable that the wishes and experiences of the schools were not taken into account before the reform was implemented. Overall, a great opportunity to make the teaching profession more attractive was missed.
Polaschek: Reform makes a lasting contribution to making the teaching profession more attractive
Science Minister Polaschek emphasized that he had supported the “New Pedagogical Training” introduced in 2013 from the beginning. He also had many intensive discussions with stakeholders in the run-up to the reform that has now begun. The Education Minister is convinced that shortening the duration of studies for secondary school is just one of many measures that can increase the attractiveness of studies and the teaching profession in the medium term. There is already good progress on the question of the required amendment to service law, emphasized Polaschek. Overall, there has been a significant improvement in teacher training courses. The amendment also contains other important topics, such as further development of the regulations to ensure scientific integrity at universities and colleges. An important step will also be taken with the introduction of dedicated study places in veterinary medicine. (End of National Council) sox
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