es to be unsatisfactory. They have been waiting for many years for decisions. In 2012, the AOB found a total of 382 cases of maladministration due to inaction on the part of the Asylum Court. In almost all of the cases that have been pending before the Asylum Court since 2012, the Asylum Court was not able to refer the AOB any procedural steps it had taken. I am afraid that cases, which have been pending for “only” one year will go on for years. Many asylum seekers who contacted the AOB in 2010 or 2011 have again complained this year about the duration of the proceedings. The Asylum Court was able to report investigations or proceedings only rarely. The need of the individuals involved to learn their status is justified. This need must be met. In the future, proceedings before the Asylum Court – from 1 January 2014, before the Federal Administrative Court – must be concluded within a reasonable period of time. After more than four years, this objective which was set out by the political parties in 2008 when the Asylum Court was established must finally be achieved. Closure of small primary schools destroys social structures In the area of education, it was especially important for me this year to support small compulsory schools, including in the media by way of the Bürgeranwalt television programme. Primary schools are within the purview of the Laender. The secondary schools build on this education. Whether properly functioning schools, for example in Carinthia or Styria, are closed, is often only a question of cost for the Laen- der and the municipalities. For students and their parents, however, it is a question of a well-functioning social structure and maintaining the community. Established structures are impaired or even destroyed. Motivation to acquire better and higher education will not prosper – or will prosper only with considerable difficulty – on a foundation like this one. The political concept of closing schools to save costs should be urgently reconsidered. I very much enjoy taking the opportunity of talking about the AOB in schools. Young people are interested in the activities of the AOB, especially within the scope of the school subject “Political Education”. Parents usually know that complaints about school-related matters can be submitted to the AOB, but the directly affected students generally do not. Besides, they are the complainants of the future. In addition to any personal benefit, their future complaints to the AOB will also pinpoint possible adverse developments in public administration. Obstacles for persons with disabilities Education is one of the most important pillars of our society. It must be made available and be accessible to everyone. In my view, this fundamental right is not always accessible for persons with disabili- 26