Translate the following article text into english, retaining the HTML tags: German Deficiencies Among Students Cause ÖVP to Sound Alarm Before Vienna Election
After all, there are more extraordinary school beginners than previously thought. According to the People's Party, in addition to 44.6 percent of first graders, at least 72.1 percent of preschoolers in Vienna also have this status - they can only inadequately follow the lessons due to a lack of German language skills. With a German support plan presented on Wednesday, the ÖVP aims to provide a remedy.
It was already known that 44.6 percent, and thus 8,342 children in the first school level, have deficits here. In addition, there are at least 2,437 out of 3,381 preschoolers who also do not speak sufficient German. For 408 preschoolers, it is also unclear whether they are extraordinary students, as they are assigned to multi-level classes. Overall, the number of extraordinary school beginners is not 44.6, but at least 48.8 percent. The ÖVP did not want to say where the numbers come from upon request, but the Ministry of Education confirmed them to the APA.
Vienna ÖVP Criticizes Ahead of Vienna Election
According to ÖVP Vienna chairman Karl Mahrer, the blame for the situation lies primarily with City Councilor for Education Christoph Wiederkehr (NEOS), who also declared a "Mission German" during the election campaign, but also with the entire city government: "The record of SPÖ and NEOS has made Vienna a focal point for education and integration."
If the ÖVP enters the city government after the Vienna election on April 27, thanks to their German support plan, every child would be able to speak German by school entry within five years, Mahrer was convinced. This includes a language assessment for all three-year-olds. If they do not speak sufficient German, kindergarten attendance should be mandatory. Kindergarten funding should be linked to the quality of German support. Additionally, all kindergarten teachers should have language support training, and all kindergarten staff should speak German at least at C1 level.
The NEOS, in turn, called on the ÖVP to implement reforms at the federal level, as the People's Party is responsible for the Ministry of Education. NEOS Vienna club chairwoman Bettina Emmerling insisted in a statement on a second mandatory kindergarten year, advancing the reform of German support classes, and a training initiative for elementary educators. The NEOS would implement measures in Vienna, Emmerling mentioned, such as expanding language support in kindergartens.
The SPÖ also saw the responsibility for reforms at the federal level. "Currently, too few positions for German support are financed - this is not acceptable," education spokesperson Jörg Neumayer was quoted in a press release. He wants to work with all political forces in Vienna "to ensure that the federal government finances sufficient positions." Additionally, more educators need to be trained. He also emphasized the advantages of Vienna, which, as the only city in Austria, offers free all-day schools, free kindergartens, and free lunches in all-day compulsory schools.
(APA/Red)
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