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Vienna Greens Criticize Education Policy in Vienna

Die Grünen fordern mehr Durchmischung an den Schulen in Wien.
Die Grünen fordern mehr Durchmischung an den Schulen in Wien. ©APA/GEORG HOCHMUTH (Archivbild)
Four days before the start of school, the Vienna Greens criticized the education policy of the red-pink city government. In the last five years, the education situation has deteriorated under the NEOS policy. The Greens see problems in the lack of social mixing of students and the shortage of staff.

"We are facing well-known problems. Unfortunately, there are no solutions for the major challenges," said the Vienna Greens chairwoman and city councilor Judith Pühringer, speaking of a "red-pink education failure." According to Pühringer, half of Vienna's first graders cannot follow the lessons because their German skills are inadequate, even though 80 percent of them attended a Viennese kindergarten for two years. Summer schools are not a solution, as two weeks cannot make up for what was missed in 36 weeks.

Vienna Greens Demand More Mixing in Schools

The Greens in Vienna propose a change in school choice. Parents should be able to specify five schools. The education directorate should then consider the criteria "first language" and "parents' educational level" in addition to the existing criteria "residence" and "siblings" when allocating places. A response to a request from the Greens by Education Councilor and Deputy Mayor Bettina Emmerling (NEOS) shows that there are significant differences between schools within Vienna's districts. In Vienna-Brigittenau, there is a school where almost 50 percent of the children are classified as extraordinary, while in another school this proportion is only two percent. According to the Greens, the proposed model would eliminate extreme cases of little mixing. Education spokesperson Felix Stadler said mixing is "a question of educational justice" so that all children receive the same educational opportunities.

Staff Shortages in Schools Should Be Addressed

In 22 primary school classes, there are no class-leading teachers, and at 37 compulsory school locations, there are currently only interim directors. The Greens demand better working conditions, higher salaries at schools with special challenges, career advancement opportunities for teaching staff, more support staff, and less bureaucracy. To make the position of school leadership more attractive, administrative tasks should be reduced so that directors can focus on pedagogical leadership. Another demand of the Vienna Greens is a permanent position for social workers at every compulsory school. Currently, there are no such positions at 324 Viennese schools. Of the 95 full-time positions promised by Education Minister Christoph Wiederkehr (NEOS), only 53 are currently available, according to the criticism.

Vienna Greens: Lack of Staff and Full-Day Places in Kindergartens Are "A Disgrace"

More than 600 educators are still missing in Vienna's kindergartens. The Greens identify another problem in the lack of full-day places. If parents go on parental leave or become unemployed, they lose the granted full-day place. "This is a disgrace from a family and women's policy perspective," said deputy club chairwoman and education spokesperson Julia Malle. She demands a continued entitlement to a full-day place. In the inclusion funding line created in 2024, no money has been paid out so far. Over 1,000 children with disabilities or impairments are waiting for a kindergarten place.

ÖVP Demands Kindergarten Obligation with German Support Needs

Criticism of the NEOS education policy and especially of Education Councilor Emmerling was also expressed by the club chairman of the Vienna People's Party and education spokesperson Harald Zierfuß on Wednesday in a press release: "The NEOS in Vienna have shifted their responsibility for the education sector to the federal government for five years instead of tackling it themselves." The Vienna ÖVP complains about the lack of German skills among half of the first graders. Therefore, they are once again demanding a mandatory language assessment for all three-year-olds and a full-day kindergarten obligation for all children with German support needs. Additionally, a phased plan is needed to increase the specialist-child ratio, language support training, and a C1 language level for kindergarten staff.

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This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.

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