A Return That Was Foreseen

“No one can buy their way out” of the headscarf ban

Education Minister Christoph Wiederkehr (NEOS) identifies a need for many families to catch up—these children are expected to benefit from summer school.(Bild: Peter Tomschi)

A Controversial Start to the School Year: For the first time, summer school is mandatory for thousands of children, followed shortly thereafter by the headscarf ban. Education Minister Christoph Wiederkehr is focusing on dialogue—but isn’t afraid to impose penalties either.

This time, the first day of school falls in the middle of summer. At the Julius-Meinl-Gasse elementary school in Vienna’s Ottakring district, the children are back in their seats, and Education Minister Wiederkehr (NEOS) stops by. “After seven weeks of summer break, you’re a little out of practice,” he tells the students. That’s exactly the point: getting back into the swing of learning before regular classes begin.