Viennese Principal Raises Alarm: Horrendous German Deficiencies Among Majority of Elementary Students
In a recent interview, Karl Mahrer, Vienna's ÖVP chairman and top candidate in the Vienna election, shared concerning information about the language skills of elementary school children in Vienna. An anonymous principal of an elementary school reported alarming numbers: 85 percent of the children newly enrolled at her school do not have sufficient German language skills. Surprisingly, many of these children had previously attended a daycare center.
German language skills of elementary students are insufficient for classes
Mahrer pointed out in the program "Vienna Today" that in Vienna, almost half of the elementary school children speak German so poorly that they cannot understand the lessons. The situation is even more precarious in various districts: According to Mahrer, in Margareten, over 70 percent of the children already do not speak sufficient German, while in Favoriten and Brigittenau more than 60 percent are affected. Mahrer concludes that under these conditions, the educational mandate can no longer be fulfilled.
Vienna's ÖVP demands a German support plan
To improve the situation, Vienna's ÖVP is calling for the introduction of a German support plan for the city. This plan should include the following measures:
- Sprachstandsfeststellung für alle Kinder ab drei Jahren
- Eine dreijährige Kindergartenpflicht für alle Kinder, die nicht ausreichend Deutsch sprechen
- Eine Überprüfung der Kindergärten und eine Vergabe von Fördergeldern nur, wenn diese die Kinder aktiv beim Deutschlernen unterstützen
The education directorate did not provide specific numbers for the first elementary school classes upon request. However, according to the latest official figures, 21 percent of elementary school children have difficulties with the German language.
Wiederkehr wants a second mandatory kindergarten year
The responsible city councilor for education, Bettina Emmerling (NEOS), stated that the German language skills of children are already being tested at kindergarten age. In the current school year, almost 60,000 such tests have been conducted. Education Minister Christoph Wiederkehr (NEOS) also plans to introduce a second mandatory kindergarten year by 2027 to improve the children's language proficiency.
(Red)
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