Warth reopens primary school after 18 years

Warth’s primary school has reopened after 18 years, with the 16 pupils now attending classes there instead of in neighbouring Schröcken, ORF reported. Ten of the children come from Warth and six from Schröcken.

The school building in Warth had stood unused for nearly two decades. It was cleaned and prepared in recent weeks before pupils moved in on Monday.

The school location is determined by the longer-term distribution of pupils. If the balance shifts in favour of the other municipality for two years, the school can change locations. Warth’s school was closed 18 years ago because of low birth rates, and children from the municipality subsequently attended school in Schröcken.

Headteacher Alena Vogt expects pupil numbers to remain relatively stable over the next six years. She said the small school allowed younger and older children to learn from one another and enabled individual support.

A separate bus stop is being set up for children travelling from Schröcken. The bus will pass directly by the school building in Warth.

The school has also been given a new name, Volksschule Warth-Schröcken. It will have two school buildings available, one in each municipality.