European Capital in Transformation – Half of Students Cannot Speak the Language

In Austria, the demographics of Vienna are undergoing a complete transformation. For the first time, more than half of first graders in the capital do not understand German.

Recently, Donald Trump’s administration warned that Europe could be unrecognizable in just a few decades and that European civilization risks collapse, citing mass immigration that is transforming countries which believed they were doing good by keeping open borders, with leaders convincing their populations that diversity would be a strength.

According to data compiled by the Christian Democratic Austrian People’s Party, ÖVP, 50.9 percent of first graders, or 10,931 students, are classified as pupils with special needs in the current academic year.

The numbers come as no great shock since previous reports have stated that over 75 percent of students in Vienna’s middle school system do not speak German at home.

Government Failure

ÖVP’s education spokesperson and parliamentary group leader Harald Zierfuß blames the ruling left-liberal government.

– Because SPÖ and NEOS are failing in Vienna, more children than ever before cannot speak German, he told Heute.

– Time is running out for our city. Children without German skills will be tomorrow’s welfare recipients in this city.

However, ÖVP does not propose repatriation or any form of immigration restriction; instead they want to see more language courses, mandatory preschool for all 3-year-olds, and to hire more staff for kindergartens.

Lowers the Level for Everyone

In a column in the newspaper Krone last month, columnist Andreas Mölzer stated among other things that as foreign students make up such a large proportion, they are guaranteed to drag down the rest of the students in their classes. The consequence is that more and more Austrians are sending their children to private schools.

At the same time, more and more teachers are leaving the Austrian school system due to violence, disrespect, and abuse.