# Kindergarten Teacher Training Enrollment Up 30% October 31, 2026 at 07:25 PM > Over 4,000 students began elementary pedagogy training this year as the government invests 32 million euros to expand teacher capacity. More than 4,000 people began kindergarten teacher training this academic year, marking a 30 percent increase from the 3,100 students in 2024. Enrollment rose at **Educational Institutes for Elementary Pedagogy**, with 2,317 starting the five-year **BAfEP** path. A total of 837 first-year students entered academic education paths for elementary pedagogy, a sharp rise from 153 two years ago. While BAfEP college programs saw 885 starts, 276 began bachelor's degrees and 447 are in **Elementar+** or **ElementarPro** courses. Education Minister **Christoph Wiederkehr** noted the growth as the government allocates 32 million euros for the sector. This funding aims to provide 4,000 additional training places by 2028/29, supported by 114 new lateral entry university course students. [#Education]() #Kindergarten #TeacherTraining #Pedagogy #SchoolEnrollment ## Related news ## [Austria to Create New Academic Secondary Schools]() October 27, 2026 at 05:28 PM ## [Vienna Reports 98 School Headscarf Ban Violations]() October 23, 2026 at 12:09 PM ## [One in Five Austrian Teachers on Fixed-Term Deals]() October 11, 2026 at 12:59 PM ## [Austria to Launch Fast-Track AHS for Gifted Pupils]() October 11, 2026 at 11:43 AM ## [Austria School Headscarf Ban Leads to 87 Reports]() October 9, 2026 at 09:45 AM