The abolition of the corona measures led to a ten-year high in the number of sitting people last year. In total, approximately 25,100 students repeated a class in the 2022/2023 school year. Immediately before the pandemic there were between 17,600 and 21,700 per year, before the number dropped to 11,900 in 2020/21.
Reason for the decrease at the time: In 2019/20 and 2020/21 there were significant relief measures due to Corona. With a five on your diploma you were automatically allowed to move on to the next school year. This was only excluded if the subject in question had already been assessed negatively in the previous year.
Promotion was possible despite a few fives – not anymore
Even with two or more fives, the teachers’ conference could allow progress (also in this case, but only if these subjects had been successfully completed in the previous year). Another consequence: even those who would normally not be allowed to progress, but who had subsequently passed all but one resit exam, were automatically allowed to proceed to the next class.
This arrangement ensured that significantly fewer students had to repeat a grade, especially in the 2020/2021 school year. The following year, the number of remaining office holders rose again to 19,100 and most recently to 25,100, when Minister of Education Martin Polaschek (ÖVP) answered a parliamentary question from NEOS.
Probably a lot of people caught up on sitting
The most obvious explanation: many of those children and young people who were allowed to move on under the relaxed regulations failed in subsequent years, essentially making up for the stalled situation.
2.4 percent remain, most of them in Vienna
In 2022/23, 2.4 percent of all students had to repeat a grade. The percentage was lowest at primary schools (0.6 percent) and highest at various secondary schools with values of more than nine percent.
A comparison of the federal states shows that in 2022/2023, across all school types, the most students were in Vienna (3.5 percent). The lowest figures were in Carinthia and Tyrol (1.8 percent each) and Styria (1.9 percent).
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
