Villach parties are fighting for bilingual teaching in schools

Villach parties are fighting for bilingual teaching in schools

In Villach, the chances of bilingual teaching at the Khevenhüller elementary school are in jeopardy. Due to the high proportion of migrant children at the school, this valuable program may soon be discontinued. The political parties SPÖ and ÖVP are now actively campaigning for bilingual education to continue to be offered and are calling on citizens to support an online petition by the parents' association.

English has been taught as part of the bilingual lessons at elementary school 1 in Villach for five years now. But a recent decision by the federal government to end financial support is forcing the state of Carinthia to bear the costs for this school year alone. After that, there will no longer be an opportunity to add new classes. In a joint statement, the parties emphasize that without long-term financial security, the continued existence of the program, which opens up crucial future opportunities for the children, is at risk.

Threat to educational provision

The intended deletion particularly affects the hours for native speakers, which would mean that bilingual lessons would be eliminated from the coming school year. Heidi Krammer, the chairwoman of the parents' association, expresses the parents' concerns and explains: "Through bilingual teaching, the Khevenhüller elementary school is a place where our children are given real opportunities - especially those who speak English as their first language. In order for this successful model to be maintained, we are dependent on the support of the state of Carinthia and are calling on the federal government to finally guarantee the financing. It cannot be that such a valuable offer for our children disappears."

In order to counteract the impending end, the Villach SPÖ and ÖVP have already taken steps to submit an urgent motion to the city senate. This proposal proposes to submit a resolution to the federal government to ensure continued financial support for bilingual teaching in Austrian schools.

In addition, a petition was launched with the support of the parents' association. Sarah Katholnig, the SPÖ's deputy mayor and education officer, emphasizes: "The teachers at this school, with 43 different nationalities, do an extraordinary job. The school has become a model model thanks to the bilingual program. There should be no savings here. Studies show that every euro invested in education pays off up to tenfold in the long term." Her colleague, city councilor Christian Pober, adds: "The best way to learn languages ​​is when you're young and at school. Depriving children of the opportunity to learn a language during this formative phase is the wrong approach."

Further information and the opportunity to sign the petition can be found on the websites of the respective parties and the parents' association. Time is short and the support of the population is needed to save bilingual education in Villach.