Organizations or Groups - Student council seeks increased influence in school governance.
The Mecklenburg-Vorpommern Student Council wants the Nazi regime to be tackled earlier in school curriculums. Additionally, they suggest more resources to enhance students' media literacy to help them maintain a healthy distance from right-wing ideologies. "Right-wing extremism is on the rise, it's glorified, ignored, and glamorized," stated Leni Hein, the council's chairperson on Tuesday in Schwerin.
The study "Youth in Germany" revealed that 22% of 14- to 29-year-olds would elect AfD if there were elections. In several federal states, the party, which recently became the strongest in MV for the European and state elections, is labeled by the Constitutional Protection as solidly right-wing extremist. The same hasn't been designated to Mecklenburg-Vorpommern yet.
During a conference in Schwerin, Hein shared the 11-page new baseline program of the State Student Council, where they reject all forms of extremism.
The study revealed that more swastikas are emerging, students crack jokes about Nazi era, and make antisemitic comments. Many of these actions are facilitated through online platforms like TikTok. "The content that circulates on TikTok is simply perceived as 'true' without any fact checks," added Hein, highlighting the need for better media education. Also, Hein urged teachers to intervene when students exhibit hatred or express themselves in a derogatory manner, rather than avoiding it.
The council requests a more involved democratic education at schools, including participation in school decision-making processes, curriculum design, and extracurricular activities. Exams should be restructured to reduce the pressure to perform and eliminate the 'in and out' learning style. Mecklenburg-Vorpommern should improve the quality of school canteens by using fresh and local ingredients.
The council's baseline program represents the 200,000 students in the state's interests. While the state government regards differentiated learning and appealing learning environments as crucial, they also actively support young people's digital literacy through Informatics and Media Education from Grade 5.
Hein's call for training teachers in innovative teaching methods and digital media is welcomed by the Education Minister Simone Oldenburg (Left). Oldenburg, at the state government, mentioned that they offer numerous training opportunities throughout the year. She also approved of the council's stance against extremism, claiming it coincides with existing prevention programs like "School Without Racism - School With Courage." Also, the subject of Political Education/Social Studies would be introduced in Grade 7 from the following year.
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The Mecklenburg-Vorpommern Student Council advocates for the inclusion of earlier lessons on the Nazis' protection of the constitution in school curriculums, aiming to combat the rise of right-wing extremism among youth. This comes following the revelation by the "Youth in Germany" study that 22% of young adults in Germany would consider voting for the AfD, which the Constitutional Protection has labeled as solidly right-wing extremist in some federal states.
Hein, the council's chairperson, also emphasized the need for improved media literacy, citing the proliferation of right-wing ideologies on platforms like TikTok, which can be perceived as factual without proper fact-checking by younger users. In response, the council calls for increased democratic education at schools, including student participation in school decision-making processes and extracurricular activities.
The council's new baseline program, endorsed by 200,000 students in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, also requests measures against extremism, such as refining school canteens' food options using fresh and local ingredients. The state government, in opposition to right-wing extremism, actively supports digital literacy training for students through Informatics and Media Education from Grade 5.
In light of the rising concern about right-wing extremism and the role of social media in its dissemination, associations in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania are stepping up their initiatives to combat extremism in schools and online. This includes urging educators to intervene when students exhibit hateful speech or engage in derogatory comments.
In Schwerin, education minister Simone Oldenburg, from the Left party, acknowledged the student council's stance against extremism supposedly aligned with existing programs like "School Without Racism—School With Courage," and announced plans to introduce Political Education/Social Studies in Grade 7 the following year.
