Pinzgau school social work cuts draw criticism

A restructuring of school social work in Salzburg’s Pinzgau region has reduced the availability of a long-serving worker in Zell am See and Mittersill, prompting criticism from teachers’ representatives, ORF reported.

The social worker has worked in Pinzgau schools for almost 10 years and is well connected in the region. Teachers’ representatives say he is trusted by families and teachers. His Arabic-language skills and cultural sensitivity helped prevent crises, said Christine Haslauer, chair of the Salzburg Teachers’ Association. She said the new headscarf ban was addressed in advance, avoiding problems at the schools.

The Salzburg Education Directorate cut the overlapping provision because the Spektrum association also works in schools in Zell am See and Mittersill. The social worker is now available on call across Pinzgau, said Claudia Leithner, head of school psychology at the directorate.

Leithner said other schools also had a right to support and that the directorate would welcome more staff, but responsibility for increasing resources lay with the federal government and the state. Daniela Gutschi, Salzburg’s education councillor, recently said the social work budget had doubled since she took responsibility for it.