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GEW supports school strike against new compulsory military service

GEW supports school strike against new compulsory military service
The education union GEW in Saxony supports the school strikes against compulsory military service (archive photo). / Photo: Patrick Pleul/dpa/dpa-tmn
From: DieSachsen News
The Education and Science Union "fully understands" when pupils take to the streets against compulsory military service. At the same time, it recommends agreements with the schools.

The education union GEW supports school strikes against the reinstatement of compulsory military service. "Young people are being torn out of their life plans for compulsory military service," says GEW head Burkhard Naumann, explaining the union's opposition. Pupils across Germany are calling for school strikes on Thursday. "We fully understand that they are defending themselves against this injustice."

"The right to demonstrate must be exercised outside of school hours. In Germany, including Saxony, school attendance is compulsory. Participation in demonstrations during school hours is to be considered an unexcused absence," said the Ministry of Education in response to an inquiry from the German Press Agency.

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GEW recommends agreements with schools to avoid sanctions

The GEW Saxony also points out details about the strike. Parents can apply for a leave of absence if their children participate. "If this is rejected, there is a risk of an unexcused absence on the report card and an 'unsatisfactory' in performance assessments," it said. Some schools have made arrangements to ensure that no performance assessments take place on the day and that participation in the school strike is generally possible for students in higher grades. The GEW Saxony expressly recommends such local arrangements.

"Even if the school strikes are not strikes from a legal point of view, there is one thing they have in common: anyone who strikes is taking a risk. In the case of union strikes, there is the threat of wage losses. School strikes result in an unexcused absence from school," explained Naumann. It is an important democratic sign when pupils organize and demonstrate together. The GEW recommends that schools make concrete arrangements to avoid sanctions.

Ministry: topic can be addressed in lessons

The current discussion offers the opportunity to address the topic in lessons, the ministry emphasized. "An objective and reflective discussion of political and social content can take place in various subjects, such as science, history or ethics/religion. Schools are invited to continue to use this opportunity to enable pupils to engage in an informed debate." In Saxony, GRW stands for social studies, legal education and economics.

The law on the new compulsory military service came into force on January 1. Young men and women who come of age now receive a questionnaire in the post to assess their suitability and motivation for the Bundeswehr. Young men are required to complete the questionnaire, as the Basic Law states that compulsory military service is only possible for them. For young women, it is voluntary.

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