Harsher tone in schools: Almost 2,500 students suspended
Austrian schools recorded 2,440 temporary student suspensions during the 2025/26 school year, marking an increase of more than 250 cases compared with the previous year, according to figures from the Education Ministry.
The figures show a clear rise compared with earlier years. In 2022/23, a total of 1,911 students were temporarily suspended, keeping the national figure below 2,000. The latest numbers have now pushed the total well above that level.
The disciplinary measures are not limited to older students. A total of 534 primary school students were also temporarily suspended during the latest school year. Authorities cited incidents including violence and threats as reasons for the exclusions.
Under the rules, a temporary suspension can last for a maximum of four weeks. The measure is intended to remove students from school for a limited period following serious disciplinary incidents.
Vienna recorded the highest number of suspensions, with 831 cases. Upper Austria followed with 587, while Lower Austria recorded 204 cases and Burgenland reported 45.
The sharp increase has drawn attention to the changing atmosphere in Austrian schools, particularly as hundreds of primary school children were also affected. The figures point to growing challenges for schools dealing with serious behavioral problems, including violence and threats.