After Rampage in Graz: Are Vienna's Schools Now Becoming High-Security Zones?
Educational institutions in Austria, and especially in Vienna, are considered open places, yet access for non-school personnel is generally prohibited. Security expert Martin Wiesinger from the Association of Security Companies Austria sees the need to classify schools according to their subjective risk potential. Suitable security measures, such as access controls or special training programs, could be implemented here.
Access Restrictions at Vienna Schools Considered by Emmerling
Vienna's City Councillor for Education and Deputy Mayor Bettina Emmerling suggests that structural changes at schools should be considered. She emphasizes: "For example, access restrictions and locking systems that only allow certain people or access at certain times." However, she makes it clear that schools should not become fortresses but must remain places of encounter, as reported by ORF Vienna.
The municipal department for schools (MA 56) plans to examine and implement suitable measures at various school locations together with the districts. Emmerling speaks of a "larger process" that is now being set in motion. The federal budget, which provides more funds for education, must also be considered. However, it remains unclear how quickly these funds will actually reach the schools in Vienna.
Staff Shortages in Schools Also an Issue
Another pressing issue is the acute staff shortage in school psychology in Vienna schools. Emmerling calls for the expansion of support staff and recommends that ideally, each school should hire an additional person.
As a first step, Emmerling recommends the workshop program "Vienna Education Opportunities". Since the end of 2023, all compulsory schools in Vienna have had a budget to take advantage of external offers from associations, NGOs, and experts. A focus is placed on the topics of mental health and bullying, for which numerous courses are offered.
(Red)
This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.