Violence Increases: More and More Students Suspended from School

The number of suspensions in schools has continued to rise, albeit less sharply than before. In the 2024/25 school year, according to current figures, children and adolescents were temporarily excluded from classes 2,187 times due to violence. In 2023/24, it was 2,000, and just under 1,000 before the coronavirus pandemic.

Middle schools with most suspensions

According to the Ministry of Education, the most suspensions in absolute numbers were still at middle schools (1,187). According to the education directorates, 413 temporary exclusions were reported at elementary schools, and 328 at special schools. The data shows that special schools have by far the highest proportion of suspensions relative to the number of students, at about two percent, followed by polytechnic and middle schools with six and five per mille, respectively.

Students who repeatedly stand out for violence, threats, or vandalism at school can be suspended for up to four weeks. The increase in recent years has been explained by education policy and school administration not only by the increased sensitivity to the issue and the rise in mental health problems and crises since COVID-19 but also by "repeat offenders."

Future "reintegration" with suspension support

From the next school year, suspended students will not just be excluded from attending school but will be required to participate in suspension support. They will spend up to ten hours per week in "reintegration" through psychosocial measures or projects inside or outside a school. This is in addition to a maximum of ten hours of classes to help them reintegrate more easily into their regular class upon return. The daily structure is also intended to prevent students from hanging out in shopping centers or parks during suspension, as Education Minister Christoph Wiederkehr (NEOS) has repeatedly criticized in the past.

Wiederkehr convinced by measures

He sees the new figures as confirmation that there is still much to be done in this area. These children and adolescents must be supported as best as possible in returning to regular classes so that they "have a real chance at a self-determined life," he emphasized in a written statement to the APA. At the same time, Wiederkehr expressed confidence that measures such as the new suspension support and additional support staff will soon take effect. This will also be reflected in lower suspension numbers.

(APA/Red)

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