Fulda: The state assembly of delegates of the GEW Hessen in Fulda today passed the key proposal “75 years of GEW Hessen for education, peace and social justice”. In doing so, it refers to its 75th anniversary and sets the course for the next three years.
In a time characterized by multiple crises and major socio-economic upheavals, democracy – not only in Germany but worldwide – is under great pressure. In this regard, too, it is clear, at the latest with the AfD’s recent election successes, that many democrats are needed to defy this danger.
Thilo Hartmann, chairman of the Hessian GEW, wants to counteract the right-wing trend with good education: “Schools can and must make an important contribution to democracy education.” But: Around a quarter of the students in Hesse are poor or at risk of poverty. Around a quarter of Hessian primary school students did not achieve sufficient confidence in arithmetic, reading and writing. Children from poor families were significantly less likely to attend secondary school than in most other federal states. “We want to overcome this educational status quo,” says Hartmann.
Simone Claar, deputy chairwoman of the Hessian GEW, emphasizes the importance of good education for society: “As an education union, we are committed to strengthening the values of peace, democracy and tolerance in all areas of education. Education is a powerful instrument against war, violence, and authoritarian and right-wing tendencies. The popularity of such groups is often linked to socio-economic circumstances. That is why we are calling for concrete measures to make good education possible for everyone, to promote democracy and peace education at Hessian educational institutions and to take a stand against the influence of military and authoritarian actors.”
Heike Ackermann, deputy chairwoman of GEW Hessen, ties these goals to concrete demands: “We demand the equalization of living, learning and working conditions in Hesse. Comparable offers must be available to every child and young person, regardless of where they live and their family situation. In addition, critical thinking and media literacy should be strengthened. Given the amount of information that comes to young people every day, it is crucial that they learn to critically question and evaluate this information.”
