Hardly any knowledge of German

Language problem in Vienna’s elementary school escalates

For the first time, there are detailed figures on exceptional pupils in Vienna's elementary school.

(Bild: APA/HANS PUNZ)

Whether integration is successful is often decided at an early age. New figures from Vienna's schools have set alarm bells ringing in this respect, because we are not talking about children who have only recently arrived in Vienna.

The fact that the number of exceptional pupils in Vienna's elementary school is rising and rising is well known - and not surprising given the waves of refugees, family reunifications and the influx of immigrants from the provinces. But is this really the only issue? Precise figures from elementary school, available for the first time, cast doubt on this.