In the previous week, 270,000 people in Austria were reported sick due to flu-like infections, influenza and Covid-19. The respiratory diseases would also pose “huge problems” for local schools, as the top teachers union warned on Thursday.
AUSTRIA. “We will be able to hold every lesson next year,” assured Education Minister Martin Polaschek (ÖVP) a few weeks ago. The teachers’ union warned at the time that the start of school would be successful, but that the staffing situation in some federal states and school types was “enormously tense”. On Thursday, the top teachers’ union Paul Kimberger (FCG) emphasized to the APA that despite the lack of teachers, comprehensive teaching could take place throughout Austria, albeit “with many provisional arrangements and additional services”.
“Huge problems” due to sick leave
The increase in flu infections, influenza and Covid-19 cases in Austria is currently not stopping at schools. Respiratory diseases like Corona are currently presenting schools with “huge problems,” as Kimberger emphasized: “We already have significant failures, and we are going over the limit because we have no reserves at all.”
Nevertheless, everything is being done in schools to ensure that teaching is of a high quality, emphasized the chairman of the Association of Teachers in the GÖD in an interview with the APA. “It is certainly doubtful whether this will really work everywhere as we imagine with the beginning of the Corona and flu season.”
“Observe hygiene measures”
As Kimberger emphasized, everyone must now work together “so that we can get through this time well.” In this context, the trade unionist called for people to be considerate and to adhere to the hygiene measures recommended by doctors. At the same time, everything must be done to get more staff into the schools. In addition to trained teachers, Kimberger also mentioned students, career changers and support staff – “i.e. people who help us in this time of staff shortage.”
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