Initiative: Free tutoring for children of single parents throughout Austria

Vienna, July 19, 2022. A tour de force by the Ministry of Social Affairs and student aid is helping children of single parents at risk of poverty get half a year of free tutoring. The approximately 100 student aid locations throughout Austria act as contact points. "Every cent that we invest today in equal opportunities for a child or young person is the best investment in the future of our country," says Markus Kalina, representative of student aid in Austria, with conviction. However, support is not only available for single parents, but also for other people in need. The first projects have already started at state level. 

The student aid project launched across Austria is based on cooperation with the Federal Ministry for Social Affairs, Health, Care and Consumer Protection. It is aimed at low-income single parents and is graded according to the number of children. In the case of a child, for example, the single parent may not earn more than EUR 1.782 net per month, with a tolerance limit of EUR 100. Family allowances and child tax credits are not taken into account (alimony and maintenance advances are). The income limit is EUR 2.193 for two children, EUR 2.604 for three, EUR 3.016 for four and EUR 3.427 for five children. The children and young people receive free tutoring sessions twice a week for six months, each lasting 90 minutes. The subjects are determined in a free initial discussion between the child, the parent and the respective student aid location management.

Markus Kalina (Regional Manager Austria, Student Aid and IQ Adult Education)  © student help

Individual lessons in small groups

"Needy children and young people are taught in small groups with two to six students per class," explains Markus Kalina, representative of the student aid in Austria. More than 30 years ago, the student aid organization in Austria began to make this successful form of individual instruction in small groups affordable for the general public. However, Kalina is well aware that affordable is relative: “Let's face it, unfortunately the impact of the pandemic and high inflation have increased the trend for some parents to prioritize their spending. Therefore, together with public partners, we want to do everything we can to ensure equal opportunities for children as best we can.”

Initiatives also at country level 

All around 100 locations of the franchise company have agreed to take part in the campaign with the Ministry of Social Affairs, so that a comprehensive offer can be provided for the whole of Austria. The project will initially run until March 31, 2023, whereby the offer can not only be used during the coming school year in autumn, but also in the form of two-week summer holiday courses at some student aid locations. In the summer, classes are held five days a week for two hours each morning. However, Kalina is also aware that it is not only single parents who are at risk of poverty. There are therefore also promising initiatives at the federal state level to reduce the educational gap. In Upper Austria, compulsory school students in need receive a 150 euro tutoring voucher per semester from the state, which can also be redeemed at student aid. Tutoring in main subjects or in a second living foreign language is funded.

More information is available from all student aid locations in Austria: www.schuelerhilfe.at.

All photos in this article © student help

About Student Aid:

Schülerhilfe, the leading tutoring provider in Austria, has been offering individual tutoring in small groups of three to five students for over 30 years. The student help offers tutoring in math, German, English and many other subjects. Motivated tutors take care of each student individually and help him/her to continuously improve his/her performance. This is also confirmed by a scientific study by the University of Bayreuth. The student aid is currently represented at around 100 locations in Austria. She has already accompanied hundreds of thousands of students on their way to a successful future with her targeted coaching. A quality management system, certified according to DIN EN ISO 9001, serves to achieve the highest level of quality and customer orientation. With success, because 94% of the customers are satisfied and would recommend the student aid.