Support instead of 'holidays': How suspended students will be guided back on track

Austria plans to introduce a "suspension support" program this fall, moving away from viewing school suspensions as mere "holidays" for students.

Last school year, around 2,190 students across Austria were temporarily suspended from school. Officials anticipate this number will rise in the current year. The new support program aims to provide guidance and intervention for suspended students, addressing the underlying issues that lead to disciplinary actions.

Recent incidents highlight the need for such measures. In May, three students from a Vienna gymnasium were suspended for months after creating and live-streaming "derogatory videos about teachers" during class. This case underscores the challenges schools face in managing student behavior and maintaining a respectful learning environment.

In Vienna alone, 784 students were suspended during the 2024/2025 school year, a slight increase from the previous year's 756. The new support initiative is intended to help these students get back on track academically and behaviorally, ensuring they receive necessary guidance during their suspension period.