Viennese educational crisis: Ex-city council return meets hard grades!

Viennese educational crisis: Ex-city council return meets hard grades!

Wien, Österreich - On March 5, 2025, a bitter record of the former City Councilor Christoph Return (NEOS) was drawn in the Vienna City Hall. The Greens, represented by Judith Pühringer, Julia Malle and Felix Stadler, presented the new Minister of Education a “final certificate”, which was devastating in many areas. In the subjects of elementary education, German funding and inclusion in kindergarten, return received a smooth 5th lack of staff, too few language support forces and insufficient places for children with disabilities are the main criticism. Malle reported that 1,147 children with disabilities are waiting for a kindergarten place, which was described as "scandalous".

Returning services under the magnifying glass

In the areas of school social work, teachers and innovation teachers were returned with a 4. The projects introduced such as the "Viennese promise of education" are largely ineffective, since they are only used in 37 out of 470 compulsory schools. In addition, around 700 educators are missing in Vienna's kindergartens: inside, which further tightens the situation. Another example of inadequate resource provision is the lack of language promotions; Despite an announcement of 500, only 313 are currently in use. While return emphasized that he had made some progress, the Greens criticize that the improvements did not have a lasting influence on the educational opportunities of the children.

Pühringer and Stadler expressed doubts about the double role as Minister of Education and NEOS top candidate for Vienna. This entanglement raises questions and seems to indicate a certain unbelievability. "The sad record after five years is that children who go to school in Vienna today do not stand better than years ago," said Pühringer. This criticism emphasizes the challenges with which the education system in Vienna is recurred after the term of office and questions the expected progress. Further details on the ratings can be found in the press release of the Greens Vienna ( here ) was announced as part of the press conference ( here ).