Vorarlberg schools start with more pupils and fewer first-graders

Vorarlberg will begin the new school year with 56,212 pupils, 481 more than last year, ORF reports. The number of children starting school for the first time is falling, however, to 5,578, down 179 from 2025.

Overall, pupil numbers are up by almost 1 percent. Primary schools recorded a slight decline, while middle schools, vocational schools, academic secondary schools and vocational intermediate and higher schools grew.

The number of first-graders fell by 3.1 percent. At the same time, 379 teachers are starting at schools in Vorarlberg. Of these, 194 have teacher training, 71 are career changers and 114 have special contracts.

Few teaching posts remain vacant

Teaching provision is largely secured at the start of the school year. Seven posts, equivalent to just under four full-time positions, remain vacant at compulsory and vocational schools. Federal schools still have four vacant posts, or around two full-time positions.

The teacher shortage has not been fully resolved. According to the education directorate, all types of schools still lack teachers who have completed a teacher-training degree. The situation has eased somewhat in primary education, but finding suitable teachers for secondary education has recently become more difficult.

More support and new rules

Eleven primary and middle schools in Vorarlberg will receive the federal Chancenbonus programme for the first time. They will share 17 additional full-time positions, including for teaching, school social work and school psychology. Vorarlberg Education Minister Barbara Schöbi-Fink of the Austrian People’s Party criticised the fact that only 11 of the 400 schools receiving support across Austria are in Vorarlberg.

German-language support is also set to become more flexible. There are expected to be 51 German-support classes, but schools can instead introduce their own models and integrate language support more closely into regular classes. Thirty-nine schools have chosen this option.

Students suspended for more than three days will now receive mandatory support. Vorarlberg recorded 167 suspensions in the previous school year, compared with 114 the year before.

A nationwide ban on headscarves for girls under 14 will also take effect at the start of the school year. In cases of violations, schools are first expected to hold discussions with the student and her parents. Administrative penalty proceedings can follow only as a last resort. The number of girls in Vorarlberg who could be affected is not currently known.