Fewer and fewer teachers of religion in once Catholic Austria
At the end of school in 2025
Religious education teachers are in short supply in Upper Austria
Only four more sleeps until the report cards are handed out – and summer vacation.
The summer holidays are just around the corner for the approximately 200,000 Upper Austrian students. Education Officer and Deputy Governor Christine Haberlander and the Education Directorate also have reason to celebrate, as the results of the past school year and the outlook for the future are positive.
6,046 students can already relax and put their feet up or take a dip in the cool water: They have successfully completed their Matura (high school leaving certificate and diploma examinations). The numbers are reason to celebrate: "More than 98 percent passed, and in German and English, the number was even higher than 99 percent. With the "very good" grades, Upper Austria's high school graduates are clearly ahead of the rest of the country," says a pleased State Minister for Education Christine Haberlander (ÖVP).
Almost 16,000 New Students
The other approximately 194,000 schoolchildren will not receive their report cards until Friday, and the grading conferences will take place this week. Meanwhile, 15,907 children are waiting in the wings to start school for the first time in the fall.
One in ten teaching positions vacant
The Education Directorate also has reason to celebrate: "Applications for teaching positions are again significantly higher than in previous years. Currently, only around 500 positions are advertised," says a satisfied Director of Education Alfred Klampfer.
One subject stands out in particular: religion. There is a shortage of almost 50 teachers in this field, which is one-tenth of all vacant teaching positions.
There are approximately 21,000 teaching positions in Upper Austria, which were reinforced this year by 1,463 new teachers and around 50 career changers.
Plenty to celebrate
The summer school has also developed positively: 480 teachers currently teach 3,728 students at 94 locations. In parallel, the Summer Academy for Gifted Students is also back. The Autism and Communication Center at the Department of Education has also become well established.
Competition Successes
There were also successes in school sports, music, and foreign language competitions: Upper Austrians took first place nationwide in English, Italian, and Spanish, and second place in French and the multilingual English and Spanish competition. Third place in the French competition went to students from the Land ob der Enns region.
Security is a major issue
In terms of security, as reported, there is now a mandatory annual security drill for teachers and school principals in consultation with the police. Students should only participate in exceptional circumstances. Increased police presence at the end of school should also only take place in isolated cases. Plainclothes officers will keep a vigilant eye on the security situation.
Teacher shortage not yet overcome
But the teacher shortage is not yet completely over: According to a response to an inquiry to SPÖ state parliament member and education spokesperson Doris Margreiter, there is a shortage of 233 full-time teachers in gymnastics and 120 in computer science. "This situation jeopardizes the quality of teaching. Having to hire teachers from outside the subject area should be the exception," SPÖ education spokesperson Doris Margreiter clarified – but it is the rule for sports and computer science.
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