Austria allocated 16.6 million euros to general adult education this year. Significantly more is spent on vocational continuing education, but if we are to believe the initiators of the current petition for an educational referendum “Österreich darf nicht sitzen bleiben” (Austria shouldn’t fall behind), then this is not enough. In fact, they are demanding that these funds be significantly increased.

On 5 November 2010, the former Austrian Minister of Finance, Hannes Androsch, together with further initiators, announced the implementation of a “petition for an educational referendum” with the aim of ensuring positive development, competitiveness and resulting success for Austria. Arranged in a non-partisan way, the petition assumes a comprehensive educational concept. The range of demands incorporates preschool teaching, primary and secondary education, universities (of applied sciences) as well as adult education. Thus the petition is not about individual or group interests, but rather it is a broadly organised process of raising awareness about how crucial it is for Austria’s future to improve the entire educational level in the long term. The slogan “Österreich darf nicht sitzen bleiben” (Austria shouldn’t fall behind) should make this clear.

Lifelong learning

In the lifelong learning sector, the initiators are demanding that by 2020, state funds be increased to a 40% expenditure for initial training. At present, the state only allocates a fraction of its expenditure to initial training for the further and continuing education of the Austrian population. On a European level, this is regarded as being far too little. Adult education also has to ensure that those who have failed or not completed their education can make up for this quickly, fairly and cheaply, as well as to a high quality.

Outcome

The petition is likely to be widely accepted. According to a survey carried out by the news magazine “profil”, 45% of Austrians interviewed would support the petition for an educational referendum.

What next?

The initiators are currently collecting statements of support. They need to have the support of at least 8,032 people to be able to carry out the actual petition. If the initiators reach this threshold, the petition for the referendum will take place in autumn. The initiators then have one week to persuade 100,000 voters to give their signature so that the matter can subsequently be discussed in parliament. The petition, however, will not have a direct influence on the legislation. The issue only has to be discussed in the Austrian National Assembly.