Minority protests planned abolishment of Slavic studies course
Klagenfurt, 6 July - The National Council of Carinthian Slovenians (NSKS) has voiced a strong protest against the plan of the University of Klagenfurt to abolish its MA course of Slavic studies. The step has not been agreed in advance with the Slovenian minority in Carinthia, the organisation said in a press release on Wednesday.
The university sent out a notice to students of Slavic studies, saying the MA course is to be abolished this autumn, said the NSKS, one of the main organisations of the Slovenian minority in the Austrian state of Carinthia.
The NSKS underlined that the move violated Article 8 of Austrian federal constitution, which prohibits deterioration of the situation of the Slovenian community.
"Abolishing the MA course in 2022 is illogical, goes against modern trends and is clearly against the interests of the national community."
The move will have fatal consequences for the minority, said NSKS, adding the decision is incomprehensible and irresponsible, because it would force Slovenian community members to study in Vienna or Graz, where universities offer better courses.
"Carinthian Slovenians must have the possibility of access to education in our mother tongue," said the NSKS, adding that the abolition would mean losing a good-quality Slovenian course in Klagenfurt at a time when there is high demand for learning Slovenian.