Hundreds march in Graz for equal education opportunities

Hundreds of people marched through central Graz on Saturday to demand equal education opportunities for all children, regardless of their background, their parents’ income or disability, ORF reported. Demonstrations with the same demand took place in all federal states.

Marchers set off from Südtirolerplatz and headed to Schlossbergplatz under the slogan “Education for all, not opportunities for a few”. They argued that while politicians quickly make money available to businesses during a severe economic crisis, education institutions are consistently left short of funds.

Maria Luise Florineth of Aktion Bildung said smaller group sizes were needed in kindergartens and schools. She also called for accessibility that went beyond physical access to include intellectual and language barriers.

Other demands included sign-language interpreters in schools and public institutions, as well as multidisciplinary teams in every education institution. Florineth said these teams should include school psychologists and social workers, and that physiotherapists or occupational therapists could also greatly benefit children.

The campaign’s demands apply to all children, not only those with disabilities, Florineth said. She called for a change in approach, noting that children who need support are still taken out of their groups. Studies have long shown that children who complete inclusive classes achieve higher educational qualifications, she said. Education should be seen as an investment in the future, not an expense.