Austria to Impose Mandatory Summer School Duties on Teachers
Austria’s Education Minister, Christoph Wiederkehr, has announced that any shortage of staff in summer schools will be addressed by mandating teachers to take on additional duties. Under the ministry’s new plan, by 2026 attendance at summer schools will become compulsory for pupils struggling with the German language. Officials estimate that around 70,000 students will be enrolled once the scheme comes into force.
At present, teachers who volunteer for summer school either receive an hourly payment or are granted the right to teach one fewer hour per week in the following academic year. However, Wiederkehr made clear that if voluntary applications fall short, teachers will be assigned to summer school duties on a compulsory basis.
The decision has sparked heated debate within educational circles. Critics argue that the measure will increase teachers’ workload and undermine their professional motivation, raising concerns about its long-term impact on the quality of education.