Kärnten adds 12 specialists to support high-need schools

More than 5,000 first-graders began school in Kärnten on Monday, while 12 social pedagogues and therapists started work supporting teachers at schools facing particular challenges, ORF reported.

Eight schools in Klagenfurt and Villach are taking part in the nationwide Chancenbonus programme. They will receive support from social workers, theatre pedagogues and psychotherapists, among others. Kärnten is the only Austrian province to have filled all additional positions by the start of the school year.

One of the new positions has gone to dyslexia trainer Christiane Erbert, who will work with reading and writing skills at Karl Renner School in Klagenfurt. She will support pupils individually and in group exercises.

“I think it is a great initiative to bring outside experts into schools so that children can receive better support as demands increase,” Erbert said.

Angela Hensel, head of Karl Renner School, said the additional resources would help strengthen social interaction and the children’s personal development. The school also wants to improve social learning and language skills.

Iris Rehak, head of St Ruprecht primary school in Klagenfurt, said her school had already taken part in the predecessor programme. She described the experience as positive, saying pupils knew they could immediately turn to the school social worker when they had a problem.

Rehak said pupils were also used to having two teachers in the classroom or receiving individual support when they did not understand something. Social workers also helped schools build stronger links with institutions such as the youth welfare office and the province of Kärnten, allowing them to respond more effectively to conflicts.