They are now the largest religious group in Vienna’s primary schools: a third of girls and boys are Muslim. Only one in five children is Catholic. City Councillor for Education Christoph Wiederkehr (NEOS) is therefore in favour of a new school subject ‘Democracy’ instead of compulsory religious education.
The current figures were collected by the Department of Education at public primary schools and therefore do not include the approximately ten per cent of public schools. According to the figures, 35 per cent of primary school pupils are Muslim, 26 per cent are of no religion, 21 per cent are Catholic, 13 per cent are Orthodox and two per cent are Protestant or belong to another denomination. If one takes charter schools into account, the proportion of Muslims would probably fall slightly, sociologist Kenan Güngör told journalists on Tuesday.
Compared to the 2016/17 school year, the percentages have thus shifted significantly – although the figures were collected differently back then and are not directly comparable; there were some gaps. According to data from the city school council at the time, seven years ago 31 per cent were Catholic, 28 per cent Muslim and 17 per cent of no religious denomination.
In view of these figures, Wiederkehr renewed his call for ‘Living in a democracy’ lessons to be compulsory for all pupils from the first year of primary school. This should teach democracy, values and ethics as well as knowledge about all recognised religions. In contrast, a separate religion subject should only be added to the timetable on request.
Wiederkehr believes that the current structure with ethics lessons only from upper secondary school onwards and only if religion is opted out of is fundamentally wrong. However, a change can only be made via a federal law – and here he has already been repeatedly rejected by the ÖVP and the Greens. ‘But I am very persistent in this regard.’
In his opinion, the new course on democracy instead of religion should be introduced throughout Austria, even if the high number of Muslim children is primarily an urban phenomenon. Within Muslims, there is an increased proportion of people who treat other groups with contempt – such as Jews, LGBTIQ people or women. However, tendencies to devalue other groups are independent of religion – see right-wing extremism – and dealing with democracy and values is relevant for all children in Austria. ‘But of course you can set different priorities.’
Güngör sees several parallel developments in schools. Due to the high level of immigration from the Islamic-Arabic region, more people are coming into the country who tend to be more religious – which in itself and at most schools is not yet a major problem. In some locations, however, there are certain ideas of superiority based on religion.
At the same time, scepticism towards Islam has increased in society. ‘Muslim pupils are naturally aware of this.’ They therefore feel more protected in schools with a high proportion of Muslims. However, it is precisely there that there are these tendencies to devalue those of other faiths. ‘We have to think both ways here.’ This polarisation must be tackled.
Wiener Volksschulkinder: Jetzt schon mehr Muslime als Katholiken | Exxpress