The Vienna Greens have issued a farewell report to the previous NEOS Education City Councilor Christoph Wiederkehr, who is moving to the federal level. It did not turn out particularly well: In key areas such as German language support or kindergartens, it promptly received a "fail." Green Party leader Judith Pühringer stated on Wednesday that Wiederkehr is leaving behind a "tangible education crisis" in the federal capital.

Greens Criticize NEOS

In principle, they wish the new minister all the best, she noted in a joint press conference with education spokesperson Julia Malle and co-education spokesperson Felix Stadler. However, she assessed Wiederkehr's record in Vienna very critically: "The NEOS have remained completely pale in their self-proclaimed favorite topic of education from our point of view." A child who goes to school in Vienna today does not have more opportunities than five years ago, she was convinced.

The list of deficiencies includes, for example, an unchanged staff shortage in kindergartens, according to the Greens. Although the assistant hours have been increased, in practice this is hardly noticeable, it was assured. In schools, they mainly pointed to the fact that in the first grades of elementary schools, already half of the children are classified as extraordinary students because they do not speak German well enough.

Wiederkehr "Diligent" for Greens

Many of them have already attended a kindergarten in Vienna, the Greens emphasized. Wiederkehr promised 500 language support staff, but currently, there are only 313. About 70 locations have come up empty, it was criticized. The others often jump from location to location. The number of school social workers is also too low, as is the unchanged shortage of teachers, the Greens stated. The fact that there are now free tickets for school trips was at least noted positively.

In the verbal assessment by the Green Party leader, Wiederkehr is rated as "diligent." Basic knowledge is present, but the overall performance shows deficiencies, was her conclusion. The former city councilor has been the Minister of Education since Monday, and his successor in Vienna has already been decided: The previous pink club chairwoman Bettina Emmerling will become the new Education City Councilor and Deputy Mayor. However, Wiederkehr remains the party leader and also acts as the top candidate for the Vienna election at the end of April.

(APA/Red)

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