End of Free Kindergarten in Vienna Feared

The Vienna Greens fear that the free kindergarten could soon be a thing of the past. On Tuesday, they once again warned of an end during a media campaign. In Vienna, attending municipal kindergartens is free of charge. The Greens suspect that contributions might be reintroduced as part of budget consolidation.

Vienna Greens warn again of the end for free kindergarten

The foundations for the free kindergarten were laid in 2009. At that time, the SPÖ, which was governing alone, announced the waiver of fees in the city's facilities for all age groups. As part of the savings package currently being negotiated at City Hall, there could be a reintroduction, the Greens speculate.

There have been no concrete signs of this so far. However, the Greens recently pointed out that other achievements have already been reversed. For example, the 365-euro annual ticket will no longer be available. The planned cuts to minimum security for families also drew harsh criticism from the eco-party.

Abolition would be a "fatal mistake"

"What we have been warning about for weeks could now become a bitter reality: The Vienna SPÖ obviously does not even stop at the free kindergarten and targets the next social cornerstone of Vienna, while the NEOS are just sitting on the sidelines," party leader Judith Pühringer stated. The abolition of the contribution-free kindergarten would be a "fatal mistake" that would seamlessly fit into the "heartless and short-sighted cutback policy of the Vienna SPÖ."

Women's spokesperson Julia Malle also identified a potential educational policy setback. This would increase pressure on families: "A free kindergarten place is not only a question of educational justice, but also enables the compatibility of work and family, thereby strengthening women."

The Greens fear that numerous parents will no longer send their children to kindergarten because it will become too expensive for them. They predict that especially children who need more language support will often no longer attend kindergarten for cost reasons.

(APA/Red)

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