"Conditions are intolerable"

FPÖ wants to replace compulsory schooling with educational goals

FPÖ education spokesman Hermann Brückl called for compulsory education instead of compulsory schooling on Thursday.

(Bild: APA/ROLAND SCHLAGER)

The FPÖ wants to replace the nine-year compulsory education in Austria. Instead, educational goals should be set that could also be achieved outside of public schools and in a shorter period of time. The current situation is "intolerable" and curricula are "bloated", the party argued.

"We Freedom Party members want compulsory education instead of compulsory schooling," said education spokesperson Hermann Brückl on Thursday. To this end, the respective institutions should set specific targets. Who would monitor the achievement of these educational goals still had to be worked out. For some, however, the school career could be significantly shorter than is currently necessary. "Those who manage it in eight years have simply achieved their educational goal," said Brückl. It would then no longer be necessary to "sit out" the nine years of compulsory schooling.

Those who manage it in eight years have simply achieved their educational goal.

FPÖ-Bildungssprecher Hermann Brückl

"Egalitarianism" instead of individuality
In general, the politician painted a bleak picture of the Austrian education landscape. For decades, the focus has been more on "egalitarianism" than on individuality and performance. A lack of support from higher authorities leads to unacceptable conditions. For example, a lack of German language skills not only leads to poor performance, but also to conflicts and even bullying and violence.

"We believe that German should simply be a prerequisite for starting school," said Brückl. German support classes are not as bad as some people make them out to be. A daily reading lesson at primary school age is also important to the Blue Party.

As more and more pupils are becoming violent, the FPÖ also believes that teachers need better training and permanent removal to so-called "time-out classes".