The National Council decided today on the “kindergarten billion”. While the FPÖ agreed with the coalition, the SPÖ and NEOS did not go far enough with the grants for elementary education. In fact, the billion is stretched over five years, in each of which 200 million flow. There is also more money for the schools.
With a new 15a agreement on kindergartens, the federal government will give the federal states 200 million euros per year in the five kindergarten years 2022/23 to 2026/27 for early language support and expansion of the offer (each with 52.5 percent co-financing from the state) as well as the Provide a free compulsory kindergarten year. In addition, the federal states can continue to use unused funds from the last three-year contract period.
“Big shot” vs. “missed opportunity”
While ÖVP Minister of Education Martin Polaschek celebrated a “big hit”, parts of the opposition criticized it harshly. SPÖ education spokeswoman Petra Tanzler spoke of a missed opportunity and a sham. In fact, there were only 57 million more than now, and that would be eaten up by inflation.
The sums are also far too low for NEOS education spokeswoman Martina Künsberg Sarre. Because Austria is at the bottom when it comes to training and group sizes. It would take a lot of money to catch up.
