Music in Austria's kindergartens under pressure
The Austrian Federal Ministry of Education and Women's Affairs is currently redesigning the curriculum for the BAKIP (Bildungsanstalt für Kindergartenpädagogik) under the title "Relief in education - sharpening the profile". The Austrian Music Council (ÖMR) is alarmed.
"Following the marginalization of music training for primary school teachers", the ÖMR writes in a statement that there is now also a threat of serious deterioration in training for kindergarten teachers. According to the ÖMR, it was decided "in an overnight operation" without the involvement of those affected that one instrument would be removed from instrumental training (previously one melody and one accompanying instrument). This means three fewer hours of musical practice. In addition, a further hour of music education is to be dropped.
In the future aptitude test for prospective specialists, it will no longer be necessary to sing a song. Only motifs will have to be sung. The visual arts section will also be shortened.
The ÖMR and the AGMÖ (Arbeitsgemeinschaft Musikerziehung Österreich) are in favor of expanding or at least maintaining the current number of hours devoted to music and are calling for a discussion with those responsible about the value and role of music and art in kindergarten and after-school education.
