Teachers had to work significantly more in 2021/22

This corresponds to a significant increase compared to previous years, in which a little more than five million hours of overtime were worked, shows the answer to a parliamentary question by NEOS by Education Minister Martin Polaschek (ÖVP). A total of around 350 million euros were paid out for this (previous year: 310 million euros). ).

The teachers at the compulsory schools (above all elementary schools, middle schools, vocational schools) therefore worked almost 3.3 million overtime hours, those at the federal schools (above all AHS, BMHS) about 2.8 million hours. This means that overtime at compulsory schools has increased significantly (previous year : 2.5 million), while in the federal school sector they are even slightly declining (previous year: 2.9 million).

The overtime includes both permanent and individual additional services (supplements). Subcontracting arises above all when another teacher is absent at short notice. Long-term additional services are provided, for example, if there are otherwise not enough subject teachers to be found at the school. Not included in the figures are unpaid supplies that teachers have to provide to a certain extent according to service law.

Teacher shortage and remedial hours

The Ministry of Education justifies the sharp increase in overtime on the one hand with the shortage of teachers. There were also additional support hours due to the corona pandemic.

For NEOS, the significant increase in compulsory education shows how dramatic the teacher shortage is there. “We have to make sure that the dedicated teachers who keep the school system running don’t burn out, but are rewarded for their commitment. On the one hand, with more support, on the other hand with opportunities for advancement, as they are in schools in English-speaking countries already exist,” said education spokeswoman Martina Künsberg Sarre to APA. Advertising campaigns would not suffice. There is also a need for a reduction in bureaucracy through real school autonomy, more investment in equal opportunities and better framework conditions in the school workplace. In addition, a lateral entry model will also be necessary for elementary schools.

In 2021/22, the federal states complied with the position plans at the compulsory schools more precisely than in previous years. Overall, the approximately 63,800 positions were still exceeded by around 1,100 posts. That’s fewer than in previous years, when there were up to 2,000 jobs. In total, the overhaul incurred costs of 74 million euros – of which the federal states bore around two thirds themselves, and the federal government took on a third of the additional costs.