On the occasion of the start of school, the NEOS boys organized a media campaign under the slogan “Mr. Polaschek, no more truancy in reform” in front of the Ministry of Education in Vienna to draw attention to the need for reform in the Austrian education system. The focus of the campaign was the educational opportunities of young people and the ongoing grievances in the education system, which, in their view, urgently need to be remedied. In addition to more school autonomy, you are calling for a boost in financial education and a “Netflix for education”.
“The last comprehensive education reform took place in 1962 – long before Austria, for example, became a member of the EU. The last five years under the Black-Green coalition were lost years in terms of education policy. It is time for outdated concepts to be a thing of the past and our education system to be brought into the 21st century,” said JUNOS top candidate Sophie Wotschke.
No more school Anno Maria Theresia: Opportunity schools through opportunity bonus
The JUNOS are calling for a radical realignment of the school system. “Talent promotion instead of uniformity – interdisciplinary learning instead of sitting through 50-minute units” is the motto under which the NEOS boys are fighting for more school autonomy. “All schools should have a common goal, but there are many ways to achieve this goal,” emphasizes Wotschke. The JUNOS therefore demand full personnel, financial and pedagogical autonomy for schools. Politics should concentrate on the legal and financial framework conditions. In addition, the government must finally deliver when it comes to hotspot schools. So-called “focus schools” should receive additional funds in the form of the “opportunity bonus”, which they can use freely. “I find it scandalous that there are still many children in Austria who do not have the same opportunities in life, depending on where they come from. It would be important to have a nationwide opportunity bonus so that schools in all federal states benefit from it,” said JUNOS Vienna Chairman Yousef Hasan.
Stocks instead of goulash: financial education as a key competence
According to the Ö3 youth study, 82% of boys in Austria would like to have more knowledge about financial matters. Sophie Wotschke emphasizes: “Anyone who leaves school should not only be able to read and write, but also understand economic contexts! The young generation knows how to write a poem analysis in three different languages, but there are problems with tax returns and credit.” The JUNOS are demanding one Strengthening financial education in Austria’s schools. In addition to German, mathematics and English skills, the educational standards should also include much more basic economic and financial knowledge (“financial literacy”).
Educational Netflix: Lernflix instead of Netflix
The Young NEOS also see a need to catch up when it comes to digitalization and are taking countries like Estonia as an example. Specifically, they have a “Netflix for education” in mind. “Regardless of whether it is teaching with a high school diploma or studying – teaching content and work materials should always be available online. Recordings of courses and corresponding documents must also be available online in the long term. Education should be individually tailored and diverse. We want a modern education system that is flexible and adaptable,” concludes Frederik Witjes, spokesman for the JUNOS students.
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