Who is responsible for education? [Gastkommentar]

Kindergartens must be given top priority. If we have the best kindergartens, we will have the best schools in ten years. To achieve this, we would need a visionary alliance between all 9 federal states, thousands of municipalities and the federal government. This is what the fragmentation of powers looks like. At the moment, each state governor adds a little extra money before the election. Austria has the second most expensive school system in Europe, but in the elementary sector, even after Chancellor Nehammer’s 4.5 billion euro package up to 2030, we are still below average. Nordic countries such as Denmark and Sweden have long recognized the direction being taken in kindergartens.

Another lever to lead Austria’s education into the Champions League lies in the Culture of responsibilityThe best school systems have a strong culture of responsibility. School management, teachers, parents and students feel jointly responsible for learning outcomes. Responsibility goes hand in hand with more freedom of decision: pedagogical, personnel, financial. This also requires further development of the respective roles. And ultimately also the possibility of sanctions. For parents who oppose democratic values ​​or teachers who have failed in their profession.