Experts demand: Schools close for school protection until June!

Experts demand: Schools close for school protection until June!

Österreich - On June 11, 2025, experts in a column say that schools in Austria should remain closed until June 28th. In a critical step, Embacher and Maassen demand that this measure be taken into response to increasing violence in schools. Your proposal aims to create a room for processing, psychological stabilization and targeted prevention. In addition, the closure period of potential imitators should withdraw the stage to prevent further incidents. At most schools, the grading is imminent, which becomes visible in the planning for day trips and project days.

Viennese school principal Christian Klar expresses skepticism towards the recommendations of the experts. He emphasizes that grade conferences and school success confirmations in the remaining time should not be neglected. The demand for closure is not brought by Embacher and Maassen for health reasons, but for security policy considerations. They argue that determined action is necessary to effectively protect students. However, it remains unclear whether this proposal in the political arena will meet with consent.

consequences of corona pandemic

The discussion about school closings is contextualized by the experiences during corona pandemic. During pandemic, thousands of young people suffered from the effects of school closings; The increase in mental illnesses, especially in children and adolescents, is alarming. A young person affected reports to suffer from anorexia for three and a half years, which is attributed to the challenges during school closings. The demand for therapies in child and adolescent psychotherapists increased by 60% one year after the start of the pandemic.

school closings as a burden

The situation during the school closings was dramatic. During the first Lockdown, many students had no presence lessons up to three and a half months, in the second Lockdown it was even up to five months without lessons. The loss of school as a place of learning and social space has affected the motivation to learn and the learning success of many children. The declines among elementary students and students of secondary schools were particularly strong compared to high school students. Studies show that a large number of students have to struggle with immense learning residues.

The families also suffered from the situation. The success of homeschooling gave way to the support of the parents, which increased their stress. Mothers often carry the main load of family work. A new BIB study shows that 11.1 million children and adolescents and 14.6 million parents were affected by these school closings. It is expected that the pressure on the health system, especially in relation to therapy places, will continue to exist.

The Federal Ministry of Health has already promised a draft law to strengthen health care for children and young people. At the moment, however, it remains unclear when this law could come into force and how many additional therapy places will actually arise.