The debate on the controversial demand by the black-blue coalition to introduce German as a compulsory language during school breaks continues. The law, which failed years ago in Upper Austria, is now to be enforced in Lower Austria’s schools via the school rules – and is met with harsh criticism. In addition, this requirement of the state government is also a contradiction in terms: the school rules are decided autonomously by the school community committee, which consists of students, parents and teachers.
“Our language has a significant value, but the diversity of languages is an enrichment,” says Education Director Brigitte Ribisch, clearly speaking out against this requirement. Furthermore, the law would not be enforceable, let alone controllable. For students with a migration background whose mother tongue is not German, the law would lead to significant disadvantages. One should learn from one another, which not only affects the language, but all areas of life together, pleads Ribisch. Under no circumstances should young people be pushed into the background because their own language is no longer allowed to be spoken.
This requirement is also not an issue for Thomas Jaretz, director of the BRG Laa. In the BRG Laa there is a German remedial class with 13 Ukrainian students. In class, they would have to speak German anyway in order to be able to communicate. In the breaks, however, Ukrainian is spoken, which is also encouraged by a Ukrainian teacher. In order to be able to communicate with their Austrian classmates, the Ukrainians would have to speak German during the break anyway. “That’s our concept, without any compulsion,” says Jaretz. Pupils and teachers with a migration background are part of the school – and it is precisely this diversity that is welcomed, emphasizes the director of the BRG.
