Carinthia education chief highlights teacher shortages and inequalities

Carinthia’s new education director, Tanja Leitner, has identified teacher shortages and pupils’ differing social and language backgrounds as key challenges in education, ORF reported Wednesday. She also discussed a pilot project introducing six years of primary school.

Leitner took up the post on October 1 after 20 years in adult education. She previously taught at an academic secondary school and most recently worked as a pedagogical director at an adult education centre.

Eight schools in Carinthia are taking part in the six-year primary school pilot, which is being scientifically evaluated. Leitner called the approach worthwhile, saying new ideas should be tried and expanded if they prove effective for children.

She said schools needed to identify early where pupils require support, and stressed the importance of equal opportunities, an issue she has worked on for 20 years. The teacher shortage is another challenge, particularly in minority-language schools.

Leitner pointed to support available to teachers through school psychology, school social work, supervision and coaching. She also plans to work with the teacher-training college to improve initial and continuing training, saying preparation should begin earlier.

Her priorities include strengthening basic skills, promoting equal opportunities, addressing staff shortages and advancing digitalisation. She said she would work with a team of experts and seek closer cooperation with schools, while reducing administrative barriers. Leitner also aims to meet school leaders and teachers to understand problems and make their work easier.