Islam is the number 1 religious faith in Viennese classrooms. Because research shows that there are more and more people among Muslims who devalue other groups, Viennese deputy mayor Christoph Wiederkehr (NEOS) called for a mandatory item ‘Living in a democracy’. This has now also been approved by the ÖVP.
As reported, a third of primary school students in the current school year in Vienna are Muslim. The latest data collection by the Education Directorate on religious beliefs in primary schools in Vienna shows that Islam is the number 1 religious belief in classrooms. Because research shows that there are more and more people among Muslims who devalue other groups such as women or Jews, NEOS vice mayor Wiederkehr called for a compulsory subject ‘Living in a democracy’ for all students in the first year of primary school.
“The values must be taught, disseminated and lived equally in all classrooms. Our common faith is democracy,” the NEOS politician explained. The ÖVP initially criticized it because it was thought that religious education would be jeopardized by the plans. Because the subject should not be introduced instead of, but as a supplement to, religious education, there is now general agreement.
“We have a big problem with foreign students living in Austria who don’t respect our values, because that’s how they learn at home. That’s why I think it’s a good idea to teach ‘living in a democracy’ at school. Courses with child-friendly values and therefore more respect contribute to coexistence at school and also for teachers. “But I do not see this as a replacement for denominational religious education,” ÖVP Youth State Secretary Claudia Plakolm told the “Krone”.
Source: Krone
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
