Upper Austria gives 59 schools extra staff through opportunity bonus
Monday 7th September 2026 on 17:00 in
Austria
According to ORF, 59 schools in Upper Austria will receive additional staff this school year through an opportunity bonus for schools in challenging social environments. The new school year began on Monday for more than 200,000 pupils in the province, education councillor Christine Haberlander and education director Alfred Klampfer said in Linz.
Nearly 202,000 children and young people are attending one of Upper Austria’s 987 schools this year, around 1,000 more than last year, according to the education directorate. About 21,800 teachers work at the schools.
The schools receiving the opportunity bonus are mainly in urban areas. The additional staff is intended to support schools operating in difficult social conditions.
Changes to German-language support
German-language support rules have also changed. The compulsory German-support classes previously required at schools with at least eight pupils classified as having extraordinary student status have been abolished. Many schools will instead provide support within regular classes.
Rules for the MIKA-D German test have also changed. Pupils with weak German skills may move up to the next level if their school issues a positive assessment of their expected performance.
New rules for suspended pupils
Suspended pupils must now receive mandatory support, including education plans, lessons and psychosocial assistance.
A ban on headscarves for girls under the age of 14 has also been introduced. Violations are to be addressed through discussions with parents and, in extreme cases, fines of up to 800 euros.
The education directorate said the staffing situation had improved this year. All positions at general secondary schools and vocational schools had been filled. About 0.8 percent of positions at compulsory schools were still vacant.
The new school year is also focusing on physical activity and science, technology, engineering and mathematics subjects. The Körnergymnasium in Linz has introduced an elective course in Austrian Sign Language.