Teachers challenged

When children threaten to “stab” each other

Claudia Astner (left) and Trixi Halama teach at Viennese schools in disadvantaged areas.

(Bild: Reinhard Holl)

Every day, female teachers on the front line feel the impact on the country's children and young people. The years of crisis have left their mark. Teachers Claudia Astner and Trixi Halama talk about everyday life at a Viennese secondary school.

Claudia Astner has been a teacher for 27 years. She currently teaches in a remedial class at a Viennese secondary school. "These are small classes for children with social and emotional difficulties. Part of our teaching concept is also close cooperation with the parents, who commit to regular discussions," explains the 52-year-old. These children can no longer be taught in a large group, for a variety of reasons. However, all of them are victims or perpetrators of some form of violence.