Scandal about school reference: judge criticize Oldenburg's decision

Scandal about school reference: judge criticize Oldenburg's decision

Greifswald, Deutschland - In the past few days, an incident from Greifswald has ensured that highly high -attention discussions about dealing with right -wing extremism in schools. Minister of Education Simone Oldenburg (left) sees itself exposed to massive criticism after a preliminary court order that lifted a controversial school reference. The reason for the controversy: Two ninth graders of the integrated comprehensive school "Erwin Fischer" were accused of showing a gesture during a visit to the Auschwitz concentration camp memorial, which was allegedly interpreted as a Nazi greeting.

The Greifswald administrative court temporarily lifted the school reference after the judges in the video could not see any clear Nazi gestures. In fact, the gesture in question is similar to the generally used "okay" sign, but contradicts the right-wing extremist symbolism. "The school and the school office were not sufficiently dealt with the intention of the gesture," said the court and also criticized Oldenburg for their demand for a tough procedure without adequately examining the individual case. The judges pointed out that the students had not yet noticed negatively in everyday school life and that the decision for the school reference was made without the participation of the responsible school conference, which makes the reason to appear questionable. The international Auschwitz committee also expressed criticism and emphasized that survivors of the Shoah feel disregarded by such measures Ostsee-Zeitung [NDR] (https://www.ndr.de/nachrichten/mecklenburg-vorpommern/schulverweis-gestoppt-auschwitz-komitee-kühritieiT-gericht-gericht-100.html).

political reactions and criticism

The political landscape in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania reacted with sharp tones to the processes around the school reference. The AfD in the Schwerin state parliament clearly stands out in its opposition to Oldenburg, while CDU boss Daniel Peters expresses concerns that the minister had improperly interfered in the disciplinary procedure. These clashes are highlighting the sometimes difficult situation in dealing with right -wing extremists in schools. Nevertheless, Oldenburg also finds support-the left-wing party leader Hennis autumn defends the minister and emphasizes her clear point of view against right-wing extremism.

The latest developments in Greifswald are far from the only incident. Student representatives of the East German federal states are increasingly warning of a wave of right -wing extremist statements and incidents in schools. According to reports, many teachers are unsettled and often do not dare to intervene in such incidents. An 18-year-old student from Brandenburg reported on swastika in classrooms and the influence of right-wing extremists in class. The number of documented right-wing extremist incidents at schools also assumed alarming proportions, with an increase from 73 in 2019 to 149 in Saxony in 2023 [https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/Rechtsextremismus-schulen-100.html).

The student representatives call for a decisive countermeasure by politics, including strengthening subjects such as politics or social studies as well as the need for further training for teachers. This is the only way to effectively oppose the spread of right -wing extremist ideas.