Controversy in Wels

Heated Exchange Over Education: SP Declares a State of Emergency

In Wels, the topic of education is sparking debate (stock photo).(Bild: Markus Wenzel)

The Wels SPÖ is sounding the alarm on education and isn’t holding back on its criticism of FPÖ Mayor Andreas Rabl. The Freedom Party camp sees the SPÖ’s education spokesperson and Deputy Mayor Klaus Schinninger as being called to account. 

Wels Mayor Andreas Rabl (FP) has scheduled a press conference for Tuesday, May 12, to address the staffing situation in public schools. Just one day earlier, the SPÖ sounded the alarm, citing a state of emergency in education. “The situation has long since reached a critical point. Educators report ever-increasing language deficits among children, rising social and psychological stress, and a daily routine that is increasingly characterized by overwhelming demands.

Many teachers must not only teach but also perform social work, conflict management, and integration work at the same time. 

Klaus Schinninger, SPÖ-Vizebürgermeister

“Many teachers now have to do more than just teach; they must also perform social work, conflict management, and integration work at the same time,” says SPÖ City Vice Mayor Klaus Schinninger. He warns of an acute teacher shortage in compulsory schools: “Even now, open positions can only be filled with stopgap measures. The outlook for the coming school year is dire.”

He levels sharp criticism at Mayor Rabl. “What good are reserves amounting to millions if, as a city, we’re leaving several cohorts of children hanging in the air?” Schinninger urges Rabl to open the “treasury” “to provide teachers with additional professional development or team-building activities such as a summer party and a Christmas celebration.”

In Wels, Deputy Mayor Klaus Schinninger is responsible for education and early childhood education.

Thorsten Aspetzberger, FPÖ-Fraktionschef

The Wels FPÖ isn’t taking the criticism lying down. Faction leader Thorsten Aspetzberger: “As the education commissioner, Schinninger is responsible for education and early childhood education. Constantly passing the buck on problems that fall within his own area of responsibility is a clear refusal to do his job, calculated to harm the mayor.”