Teachers Protest in Vienna Over Overload and Staff Shortages
On October 17, 2024, several hundred compulsory school teachers in Vienna gathered under the slogan “We can’t take it anymore!” to protest in front of the city's Department of Education. Organized by the Christian Union (FCG), the demonstration highlighted the growing frustration among teachers over excessive workloads, staff shortages, rising demands, and increasing bureaucratic barriers. Many teachers voiced concerns about being overwhelmed, often having to take on tasks beyond their professional expertise.
The protestors demanded more school social workers, psychologists, and improved working conditions. They also called for smaller class sizes in kindergartens, with enhanced language support for students.
The demonstration later moved to the Ministry of Education, where teachers pushed for better teacher training and fairer allocation of resources. Protestors noted that the situation has been further complicated by technical issues and a rise in disrespectful behavior from students, which they felt had been inadequately addressed.
Political support for the protest was visible, with opposition parties using the opportunity to criticize the current government. The Vienna Neos party accused Education Minister Martin Polaschek of delaying crucial reforms. In response, the city of Vienna announced plans to deploy 17 multi-professional teams across 52 schools to help ease the burden on teachers.