[snowpid]

Python is a quiet good choice. It is easy to learn because it abstracts away lots of stuff, it is useful for certain areas (not only data science) and it is a mature language (30 years are quiet old for a hip language of the day)

In Vienna they teach C++ for beginners. It is an awful choice.

(I think I can understand if teachers choose Java for learning)

[tristanbvk]

Python is dynamically typed. I had an entire research project in it (see: http://deavmi.assigned.network/research/) and I can say it makes for terrible programming.

Static typing is worth it. Every friend of mine who liked Python has come to realise it is really only good for scripting. We love static typing.

[snowpid]

I dont see the point of your argument. Why is your experience of using Python 2.0 related how good it is in teaching beginners? Static typing is just one aspect (and my humble opinion, it is not the most important question).