In a survey by the Austrian Federal Publishing House (öbv) among teachers, more than half wanted improvements in the transition from primary school to secondary school.
Vienna (OTS) – For many fourth-grade elementary school students, the semester break marks an important step: They have to register in a new school with their semester certificate – and it is decided who goes to the AHS and who goes to a middle school. This transition is repeatedly criticized – by teachers, parents and experts. In a survey conducted by the Austrian Federal Publishing House among 529 teachers, 21% found the transition to be sensible, 62% thought it needed improvement and 17% did not think it made sense.
In the survey, teachers criticized, among other things, the pressure to have an “A grade” in order to be able to transfer to the secondary school of their choice. Some teachers feel under pressure from parents or complain that the semester reports are not meaningful. Possible solutions according to the survey: A common secondary school with sufficient funding opportunities or standardized entrance exams for the AHS.
Call for reform “There has long been a consensus in educational science: separating children at the age of ten is simply too early. We urgently need a reform of the transition after primary school, more time for shared lessons and individual support before a decision is made about the type of secondary school.”
said Christina Hauer, managing director of the öbv. “This is also a question of educational justice. Our students deserve an education system that supports their individual talents and needs and does not limit them by prematurely setting the course.”
Questions & Contact:
öbv – Austrian Federal Publishing House
Janina Hofmann, Public Relations
Tel.: +43 / 676 / 840 136 394
janina.hofmann@oebv.at
Grayling Austria
Moritz Arnold, Michaela Schützinger
Tel.: +43 / 1 / 524 43 00
oebv@grayling.com