Berlin colleges: “Right-wing extremists have no place in schools” – Alliance requires AfD boycott | EUROtoday

In the election marketing campaign for the Berlin election, a civil society alliance is looking for the AfD to be excluded from Berlin colleges, for instance within the context of panel discussions. In an open letter to the Senate, the AfD is described as a right-wing extremist get together whose program just isn’t suitable with the free democratic fundamental order.

The alliance consists of, amongst others, the Berlin Education and Science Union (GEW), the Berlin State Youth Association and the Berlin Workers’ Welfare Association (AWO).

“Schools should support and strengthen children and young people in democratic participation,” the managing director of the state youth group, Tilmann Weickmann, is quoted as saying in a press release by the alliance. “However, it contradicts the educational mission when representatives of a party come to schools that openly disregards democracy, the rule of law and human dignity and works against the free-democratic basic order.”

The nationwide chair of the GEW schooling union, Felicia Kompio, described panel discussions with politicians as a great way to democratic debate and opinion formation. However, if AfD representatives got a stage in colleges, this may endanger the college’s mission of safety and schooling. “The expectation of the Senate is that it will create a reliable framework to support school management and teachers.” There is nice uncertainty in colleges about learn how to take care of the AfD.

“Anti-constitutional positions should be treated pedagogically and prepared in a didactic manner,” added Sabine Achour from the German Association for Political Education Berlin. A direct assembly with AfD representatives is “not necessary” for a factual dialogue.

The AfD state chairwoman Kristin Brinker objected. “Political discussions with students and in schools are right and important, after all, many students are eligible to vote in state elections,” she advised the German Press Agency. “And of course all parties represented in parliament must be involved so that the students can form their own opinion.”

During discussions in colleges, AfD representatives skilled a variety of optimistic reactions and encouragement. “The fact that students need protection because of the participation of AfD representatives arises exclusively from the imagination of the initiators of the open letter, but has nothing to do with reality.”

Schools ought to determine independently

The schooling administration stated they have been investigating the matter. Green get together chief Werner Graf stated of the letter: “Right-wing extremists like the AfD have no place in schools.” Political schooling additionally means defending human dignity and elementary rights. “That’s why it’s right that schools can decide independently whether they want to offer the AfD a platform.”

In addition to the GEW and the State Youth Council, the alliance consists of, amongst others, the Parents Against the Right, the Child Protection Association, AWO and the State Parents’ Committee.