Student protests: A school for everyone! – Reforms demanded!

Student protests: A school for everyone! – Reforms demanded!

The image of schools in Germany is currently a hotly debated topic. Students from different cities show their colors and demand comprehensive reforms in the education system. These protests are led by the young people themselves and numerous supporters from trade unions and action alliances.

The central demands

With a clear motto, “A school for us! – A school for everyone!”, the students pursue eight essential goals, which they place at the center of their demonstrations. It's about more money for modern schools and sports facilities, free lunch and reducing the pressure to perform through longer primary school years. Other items on the list include smaller classes, shorter school times and the abolition of grades in favor of feedback discussions. In addition, there is the desire for more participation for the students and the requirement that no one is deported from school WDR reported.

Protests all over Germany

The protests are very well received in Cologne, Düsseldorf, Essen and Gummersbach. For example, 150 participants are expected in Münster and even 500 in Eitorf. Students travel from surrounding cities such as Bonn, Windeck and Hennef to express their dissatisfaction with the existing conditions in the education system. In Eitorf in particular, the event is supported by local politicians who appear as speakers and are prepared to address the concerns of young people.

The Left in North Rhine-Westphalia, represented by its youth policy spokesman Philippe Tambasco, offers support to the students and is critical of the state's education crisis. The party emphasizes that Germany performs poorly in terms of educational equality compared internationally. While the Left is turning its back on the current system, the Philologists' Association of North Rhine-Westphalia is positioning itself in favor of maintaining existing structures and describes the abolition of school grades as a "realistic dream".

Educational reforms and international comparisons

The need for reform is supported by current studies. The 2022 PISA data makes it clear that Germany does not exactly shine when it comes to the relationship between performance levels and educational inequality. While some countries such as Japan or Canada show high performance with low levels of inequality, Germany is an example of high performance with high levels of inequality - a circumstance that is also discussed in reports from the Federal Agency for Civic Education. These studies make it clear: The need for reform is not only urgent, but also necessary so that no student is left behind bpb explained.

The student protests are a clear message to those responsible. It is time to take the voices of young people seriously and work together towards a future that meets the demands of a modern society. In Schwerin, for example, student protests have already taken place, which also point to the need for reforms - a trend that is not only important locally or regionally, but nationwide.

In this sense, it is to be hoped that the dialogue between the various actors in the education sector will be initiated and lead to a noticeable improvement in schools. Students might soon be able to learn in an education system that truly meets their needs.