Compulsory School Curriculum Includes Political Learning in Solingen
In the run-up to the upcoming federal election, the Association of Education and Education (VBE) Solingen is participating in the debate about school neutrality. Jens Merten, chairman of VBE Solingen, and Janik Unger, spokesperson for the Young VBE, have emphasized the importance of maintaining political neutrality while preserving political education in schools.
Merten stated that the current political climate is causing uncertainty among parts of the population, including schools. He noted that the greatest challenge in holding political discussion rounds before elections is maintaining a narrow line between neutrality and giving an open stage to populist parties. He warned that maintaining neutrality during such events may be challenging due to the potential for right- or left-wing populist parties.
However, both Merten and Unger agree that political education should remain a central part of school life, even during sensitive phases like before elections. Unger believes that democracy thrives through participation, discussion, and understanding, especially before an election. He stated that educators should provide students with tools to form their own opinions.
Neutrality in schools, according to VBE Solingen, means presenting political topics in a balanced, factual, and open-ended manner. Schools can hold political discussion rounds before elections, but parties should not be excluded. Schools in Solingen are not allowed to conduct political discussions that could be seen as influencing, according to the Düsseldorf Regional Government.
The approach taken by schools to maintain political neutrality while preserving political education involves focusing on providing factual, nonpartisan information about political processes, civic responsibilities, and electoral systems. This approach allows educators to teach civic and political topics that help students engage with democracy responsibly while maintaining a politically neutral school environment.
The emphasis is on education, not advocacy, ensuring students receive unbiased information and opportunities to form their own views. School policies, such as the one adopted by West Ada school district, require that displays and materials be “content neutral and conducive to a positive learning environment,” explicitly excluding partisan political messages and contentious ideologies. Decisions on appropriateness involve school principals, district administrators, and legal counsel, ensuring compliance with state laws and policies.
In light of the potential for legal action from parties like the AfD, who have publicly threatened to take legal action against discrimination, VBE Solingen emphasizes the importance of students developing their own convictions without political influence. They also stress the importance of schools supporting students' understanding and active role as part of a democratic society.
In conclusion, VBE Solingen will continue to advocate for political education to remain a significant part of school life, especially during sensitive phases like before elections. By maintaining political neutrality and providing factual, nonpartisan information, schools can help students engage with democracy responsibly and develop their own convictions.
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- Recognizing the significance of both education-and-self-development and general-news, VBE Solingen advocates for political education in schools, while maintaining neutrality, ensuring a balanced, factual, and open-ended approach to presenting political topics.
- In the ongoing discussions about school neutrality during sensitive political periods like elections, it is essential for educators to provide learning opportunities, fostering students' abilities to form their own opinions, focusing on education-and-self-development rather than advocacy, and upholding a positive learning environment.
