Barbara Schöbi-Fink:

“I can’t force anyone to be happy”

Barbara Schöbi-Fink (64) has been a member of the provincial government since January 31, 2018. She succeeded Bernadette Mennel as State Councillor for Education.(Bild: Mathis Fotografie)

In a major "Krone" interview, Vorarlberg's Education Minister Barbara Schöbi-Fink (ÖVP) believes that a model region for the "Common School" is a long way off, but she still wants to develop educational institutions further.

"Krone": Ms. Schöbi-Fink, education is still her main area of responsibility. How dependent are you on the federal government to set the course in this area?
Barbara Schöbi-Fink: It is true that our radius of action is somewhat limited and that we in Vorarlberg have some ideas and wishes that we would like to implement. As far as the introduction of pedagogical assistance is concerned, i.e. staff who support children in class, in their free time and with inclusion issues, Minister Polaschek was very keen to start a reform. This failed because the federal state of Vienna and the trade union there opposed it. The papers for the reform are in the drawer and I hope that his successor will also open them.