Parents under pressure: up to 2,500 euros punishment for kindergarten refusers!

Parents under pressure: up to 2,500 euros punishment for kindergarten refusers!

Niederösterreich, Österreich - Austria increasingly tightens his course to parents who refuse to collaboration with educational institutions. In particular, the focus is on uncreder parents in Lower Austria, where the state parliament was decided to introduce fines of up to 2,500 euros for legal guardians who refuse to cooperate with the kindergarten staff. This measure receives support from Governor Johanna Mikl-Leitner (ÖVP), who sees her as part of a more comprehensive struggle against refusal to integrate. The introduction of these punishments in the kindergarten area is to be carried out in autumn 2025, such as kosmo.at.

At the federal level, Education Minister Christoph Return (NEOS) plans to expand the Lower Austrian model in schools throughout the country. Return makes it clear that it is unacceptable if parents refuse to talk to teaching staff. Increasing complaints from school management about uncooperative parents, especially in relation to bullying and violence, have promoted this step. The Ministry of Education is working on a legal basis for administrative penalties that are to be used as a last remedy for permanent refusal.

simple conversations as a prerequisite

The federal government's level plan stipulates that financial sanctions are only used after all other options are exhausted. In this way, a mandatory invitation to discussions is given. In the event of refusal, the announced administrative penalties then threaten. Return emphasizes that prevention and enlightenment have a priority before taking strict measures. In Upper Austria, too, one shows approval of this initiative; Education officer Christine Haberlander (ÖVP) supports the planned regulations for kindergartens and schools.

The discussion about the rules for kindergartens is carried out against the background that a corresponding sanction model is also planned for schools, but will still take time. According to the press, the sanction model will not be implemented in the current and probably not in the next school year. The Ministry of Education cannot currently estimate how often such punishments will be necessary.

support for teachers

The state politicians support the introduction of sanctions as the last resort. Carinthia's State Councilor Daniel Fellner (SPÖ) sees this a sensible measure, while others, like Stefan Hermann (FPÖ), initially want to refrain from fines and observe developments in other federal states. There are concerns for low -income families and possible communication difficulties, but the ministry offers interpreters to reduce linguistic or cultural barriers.