Storm disaster

Pupils automatically excused on Monday

Pupils are automatically excused from lessons on Monday. Safety first.(Bild: contrastwerkstatt)

The current storm situation in large parts of Austria has taken on worrying proportions. In view of the current risk situation, important measures are being taken to protect pupils, teachers and school administration staff.

For this reason, pupils throughout Austria whose places of residence are directly affected by the severe weather disaster are automatically excused for Monday, September 16, 2024, as announced by the Ministry of Education.

Pupils who are unable to come to school because they are unable to get to school due to obstructions in public transport or because the journey to school would be too dangerous as a result of the storm and flood damage are also automatically excused.

Bad weather in Vienna(Bild: APA/TOBIAS STEINMAURER)

School closures possible
If entire school locations have to be closed, parents, pupils and teachers will be informed directly by the school provider, i.e. the municipality concerned, or the management, it was further stated.

If planned school events have to be canceled or postponed, parents and pupils will be informed directly via the school. The same rules apply to teachers and administrative staff at schools. It is advisable to check the school websites to see what measures are being taken. Some have already announced an emergency operation. 

Firefighters and civil servants are exempted
All teachers and administrative staff who are involved in civil protection, for example as part of the volunteer fire department, and whose presence in the disaster area is immediately necessary, are automatically exempted. 

Civilian servants can also be released from their duties for urgently needed assistance. "Please get in touch with your institution if you are a volunteer firefighter and are urgently needed so that the institutions can plan accordingly," appeals Civilian Service State Secretary Claudia Plakolm. In crises like these, every helping hand has to weigh up where it is needed more, because the rescue services are also under massive pressure at the moment and need their resources and, above all, a certain degree of planning capability, says Plakolm.

Kindergarten operations in Vienna and Lower Austria, which have been particularly hard hit by the storms, are being organized in line with the Ministry of Education's regulations. "Children in the compulsory kindergarten year are also considered excused with notification of the kindergarten management. Wherever the current situation allows, childcare operations should be maintained. Should there be a change in the current situation, parents or guardians will be informed immediately," said Christiane Teschl-Hofmeister (ÖVP), State Councillor for Education, in a press release.