Local resident and father

“Gangs of youths scare us all”

Manuel Kiesling is deputy chairman of the parents' association at Kagran secondary school and a concerned parent and local resident. Here he is holding the plans for the container classes in his hands, which will further increase the problems.

(Bild: Klemens Groh, Krone KREATIV)

Chechens attract negative attention at the Kagran secondary school and in the neighborhood - a concerned resident and father describes his experiences and fears to the "Krone".

As the "Krone" has reported several times, violence at Viennese schools is escalating more and more frequently. This is confirmed by Manuel Kiesling, deputy chairman of the parents' association at Kagran secondary school. Chechens and Afghans in particular are causing problems. "The principal has the situation under control, but there have been repeated suspensions in the past," says Kiesling.

According to the Education Directorate, no Chechen pupils have been suspended this year at least, nor are there any known problems with these pupils. Things could look different from the fall, when nine mobile classes with 240 refugee children move into the school. The outrage among parents and pupils is still great, and this Friday there will be a demonstration against the container classes for the second time.

However, the problems with the young people go beyond the school. "It was always quiet in our area, but now gangs of youths are scaring us," says Kiesling, who lives near the school in a terraced housing estate. He recently heard from a neighbor that she had been harassed by young men while jogging. Kiesling has had bad experiences with Chechens: his son was attacked by a gang of six at Praterstern two years ago. Now he fears that something similar could happen in his neighborhood.

Red-Pink motion on residency requirements in Vienna City Council
Meanwhile, the red-pink party is pushing for a residency requirement for recognized refugees; a motion for a resolution was tabled in the municipal council on Monday.