4,198,343 hours of overtime

How the Minister of Education “cheats” on the teacher shortage

Minister Martin Polaschek is satisfied with the developments in the classes. For SPÖ women's leader Eva-Maria Holzleitner, the situation in the teachers' rooms in particular is "not sufficient".(Bild: Eva Manhart, Zwefo, APA/Hans Putz)

If you believe ÖVP Education Minister Martin Polaschek's "calculation formula", the teacher shortage is as good as over. The SPÖ comes to a different conclusion and shows how: In the previous year alone, teachers had to work 4 million hours of overtime, costing taxpayers 240 million euros. The "Krone" took a closer look at the matter.

From next Monday, the seriousness of life will begin again for all pupils in Austria. Shortly after the start of school in the east and shortly before the national elections on September 29, politicians are also taking a very close look at the red-white-red classrooms and teachers' rooms. Just a week and a half ago, ÖVP Education Minister Martin Polaschek gave himself a very good report card.