The radical Alternative for Germany party's plan reveals strict discipline and a push towards nationalism.
The newly revealed education program of the AfD Sachsen-Anhalt (Alternative for Germany Saxony-Anhalt) paints a stark and uncompromising vision for schools, leaving little room for ambiguity about the party’s intentions if it comes to power.
The program argues that the current education crisis is not due to a lack of funding, but rather a “crisis of spirit.” It criticizes modern teaching approaches, claiming that discipline and performance have declined, while accusing schools of promoting ideological influence instead of real knowledge.
One of the most controversial proposals is a major restructuring of the school system. The AfD suggests limiting access to Gymnasium (academic secondary school) to only a quarter of students and reconsidering the return of Hauptschule and Realschule (lower and intermediate secondary schools). The plan also calls for ending inclusion policies, which currently integrate students with disabilities into mainstream education.
Migration-related policies in education are equally contentious. The program proposes separate classes for refugee children, aiming to signal that their stay in Germany is temporary. Critics argue that such measures could violate European human rights standards and undermine equal access to education.
The AfD also emphasizes stricter discipline and stronger national identity in schools. Measures include banning symbols like rainbow flags, introducing security patrols, and requiring the regular display of the national flag. Teachers are accused of political bias, with the party proposing stricter neutrality rules to prevent what it calls “indoctrination.”
Beyond education, the broader program outlines sweeping societal changes, including restrictions on migration, cuts to state support for certain institutions, and a push for what the party describes as a more “patriotic culture.” Observers warn that the proposals reflect a wider ideological shift that could significantly reshape democratic norms if implemented.