Families with children in Austria will likely be aware that primary school (Volksschule) lasts four years, with children typically attending from age six to 10 (1st to 4th grade).
But now the liberal Neos is reigniting a proposal to extend primary school teaching by two years to six in total.
Vienna education councillor Bettina Emmerling of the liberal Neos is behind the latest push. She has called for a model region in the Austrian capital to test six years of primary school education.
Her party colleague, Education Minister Christoph Wiederkehr, is preparing a proposal. During his time in the Vienna city government, he also called for an extension of primary education.
The coalition, made up of the Austrian People's Party (ÖVP), Social Democrats (SPÖ) and Neos, has also written easier rules for pilot regions into its government programme, although planning remains at an early stage.
READ ALSO: Four things foreigners in Austria need to know about the education system
Wiederkehr recently said he was optimistic that a concept could be ready by the end of the current legislative period in 2029, but did not say whether pupils might be attending six-year primary schools by then.
What's the reaction?
Under Austria's school system, children are split into different groups after their primary education.
From ages 10-11, the child moves to secondary and chooses between more vocational training (Mittelschule, or MS) or academic (Allgemeinbildende höhere Schule), which divide further into several types of training or study.
Social Democrat education spokesperson and former Vienna education director Heinrich Himmer said he supports "in principle all paths" that lead to a later decision on secondary school and a delayed separation of pupils.
But even if primary school lasts six years, "a transition must be ensured afterwards", he told Der Standard recently.
The Green Party is also open to the idea of an extension.
"We welcome anything that gives children more time to learn together," said Green Party education spokesperson Sigrid Maurer.
"Children and parents are under incredible stress when they reach the fourth year of primary school."
That's when the "often life-changing decision" about which secondary school the children will attend has to be made, added Mauer.
However, she doubted whether the Neos proposal would be implemented. "This government is a master at making announcements – but so far, hardly any of them have been implemented," Mauer said.
Meanwhile, the liberals still have to convince the ÖVP, which has previously been against extending primary education.
The far-right Freedom Party is also sceptical so far. "What will be taught in the additional two years? If it's what is taught in secondary school, I don't need longer primary school. And if in six years you learn what you used to learn in four, it would be a disastrous development," said Hermann Brückl.
READ ALSO: Ten things you will notice as a parent with a child at school in Austria
How does Austria's primary education years compare to other countries?
Across Europe, Austria's elementary education model is relatively uncommon.
EU data show only six other member states offer four-year primary education to pupils, including Poland, most of Germany, Slovakia and Croatia.
In many southern and eastern European countries it lasts five years, while six-year primary schooling is common in Scandinavia, France and Portugal. Denmark has a seven-year primary level.
In total, 14 EU countries have a six-year primary stage, and nine currently run six-year primary systems for children roughly aged six to 12 – the model Neos want to test in pilot projects.
In neighbouring Germany, primary school lasts six years in Berlin and Brandenburg, although it is four years elsewhere.
This map from 2023 gives some insight into the length of primary school teaching across Europe.
What do you think about Austria's teaching model? Share your thoughts in the comments or email us at news@thelocal.at
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