Extremism - Poll: Silence Dogs-Prohibition in Schools not an Issue
Despite its resemblance to the controversial "Wolf's Greeting," there is no ban on the Silence Sign in German schools and kindergartens. However, some education ministries want to sensitize teachers and pedagogical staff to the potential political background of the gesture, as revealed in a survey by the German Press Agency. Previously, media reports had indicated that the city of Bremen intended to ban the Silence Sign from kindergartens and schools due to its similarity to the Wolf's Greeting.
The Bremer Education Department clarified, in response to an inquiry, that there has been an existing appeal for some time to no longer use the warning finger gesture. The "political significance of the Wolf's Greeting" is absolutely incompatible with the attitudes of Bremer kindergartens and schools.
When forming the Wolf's Greeting, as well as the Silence Sign, the thumb, middle finger, and ring finger are shaped into a sort of snout, while the index finger and pinky form the ears. The gesture is typically seen as expressing loyalty or sympathy with the Turkish ultranationalist Ülkücü movement and its ideology. During the European Football Championship, the sign caused controversy when a Turkish national player used it during a goal celebration.
Construction of similarity "strongly exaggerated," ban "completely overblown"
No ban on this issue is under discussion in any of the surveyed federal states. For instance, the Thuringian Education Ministry stated that the concern about teachers or pedagogical staff misinterpreting or misusing the gesture is "strongly exaggerated." The Silence Sign is a child-friendly hand symbol that we do not question. A ministry spokesperson stated.
The Saxon Cultural Ministry considers a ban on the gesture "completely overblown." If teachers or caregivers use the gesture, it is clear what it means. To effectively use the Silence Sign, teachers would need to explain its meaning beforehand, according to the School Ministry in North Rhine-Westphalia.
The "rather regulatory nature" associated with the Silence Sign is "no longer a contemporary educational response to 'it's too loud,'" said a spokesperson for the Bremer Education Department. The use of such "commands" in consideration of an "inclusive and linguistically democratic education" is outdated.
No complaints or incidents reported
Some states emphasize that the Silence Sign is rarely used and that pedagogues themselves can decide whether they want to use it. "Whether and when the Silence Sign or other methods or measures to promote social and work behavior are used depends on the discretion of the teacher," said a spokesperson for the Bavarian State Ministry for Education and Culture.
In kindergartens and schools, there have been no reported incidents or complaints regarding the Wolf's Greeting, stated the ministries. If such a situation arises in the future, they plan to address it. "If there is a need, the topic can be taken up, discussed, and clarified. Teachers and caregivers have the necessary sensitivity and competence for this," said the spokesperson for the Saxon Cultural Ministry.
- Despite concerns about the Silence Sign's potential political associations, a survey by the German Press Agency revealed that no ban is currently being considered in any German school or kindergarten.
- The Berlin Education Ministry, like many others, has chosen not to ban the Silence Sign, instead focusing on sensitizing teachers to its potential political background.
- In Berlin, the Similarity between the Silence Sign and the Wolf's Greeting, a gesture associated with right-wing extremists, is seen as exaggerated, with the ban on the gesture viewed as overblown.
- The Mute Fox, a common name for the Silence Sign, is widely used in German schools and kindergartens, with some teachers finding it a useful tool for managing noise levels in classrooms.
- The Culture Ministry in Germany recognizes the importance of maintaining an inclusive and linguistically democratic education, and as such, they do not support the use of "commands" or gestures like the Silence Sign that might be perceived as authoritarian.
- In the city of Bremen, where the Silence Sign has been the subject of controversy, the Education Department has emphasized that the use of such gestures is outdated and no longer appropriate in contemporary education.
