# Right-Wing Shift in German Classrooms Challenges Schools Rising support for the AfD among youth forces schools to confront political radicalization. - **Source:** [taz](https://taz.de) - **Published:** 2026-11-11 - **Topic:** [politics](https://brifing.si/c/politics) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/bcef0004-a7a6-44a3-b58d-10d5f1486325 ## Rising Right-Wing Sentiment In a secondary school in Saxony, educators report a visible shift toward right-wing ideology among students. Surveys indicate that nearly 44 percent of students feel the AfD party best represents their interests. This trend manifests through specific clothing styles and aggressive behavior, creating an environment where opposing views are increasingly silenced. ## Escalating Extremist Incidents The number of recorded extremist incidents in Saxon schools has nearly quadrupled since 2021, reaching 245 cases in 2025. Reported acts include swastikas carved into school lockers, hate symbols on notebooks, and the use of neo-Nazi codes. These incidents highlight a growing challenge for school administrations attempting to maintain a neutral environment. ## Fear and Self-Censorship Students and teachers alike are experiencing pressure to remain silent. When a school newspaper attempted to report on a student performing a Hitler salute, the authors faced verbal abuse and harassment from classmates. This climate of fear discourages open discourse, as individuals worry about potential backlash for taking a public stand. ## Teacher Neutrality Dilemma Teachers are increasingly uncertain about their role in political discussions. A 2026 survey shows 21 percent of educators in eastern Germany feel insecure due to perceived neutrality requirements. Legal cases, such as the reprimand of a teacher for criticizing the AfD, have intensified concerns about the boundaries of political expression in classrooms. ## Institutional Response Challenges School leaders often struggle to address these issues due to limited financial resources and administrative constraints. Replacing damaged property or implementing long-term anti-extremism programs requires funding that is frequently unavailable. Furthermore, school officials fear that acknowledging these problems might unfairly label their institutions, leading to a reluctance to report incidents. ## Proposed Educational Reforms The Saxon Ministry of Culture has introduced an 'Action Plan against Extremism' featuring 15 measures, including better teacher training and clearer school regulations. Experts argue that these steps are necessary but insufficient without addressing the root causes. They emphasize that schools must actively promote democratic values rather than merely reacting to incidents. ## The Role of Teacher Training Professor Karim Fereidooni highlights a critical gap in teacher education, noting that many educators graduate without specific training in antisemitism or racism. He advocates for 'democracy competence' as a core interdisciplinary concept. Without proper preparation, teachers may inadvertently signal indifference or tacit approval when they fail to address problematic student behavior. ## Schools as Democratic Spaces Schools remain the primary environment where youth encounter diverse perspectives and learn democratic rules. If educators avoid addressing extremist tendencies, they risk leaving students without guidance. The current situation underscores the urgent need for a proactive approach to prevent the normalization of fascist narratives within the German education system. ## Sources covering this story - https://taz.de/Sachsen-Wie-der-gesellschaftliche-Rechtsruck-zunehmend-den-Schulalltag-praegt/!6228618/ — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._