German educators sound alarm over educational crisis due to massive illegal immigration
Germany has long been renowned for its excellent education system, producing some of Europe’s most well-trained professionals. However, in recent years, this once exemplary system is on the brink of collapse. Which is the primary issue? According to German Teachers’ Association, it is an increasing number of students who speak little to no German.
Stefan Düll, the president of the Association, highlighted this concern in an interview with the DTS news agency. “Due to the immigration wave in 2015, the war in Ukraine, and other forms of continuous immigration, new people are constantly entering the system. The system struggles to adapt because everything is happening too quickly,” he explained. Düll warns that the ongoing influx of immigrants is overwhelming the German education system.
Declining Student Motivation and Increasing Illiteracy
Language barriers, while significant, are not the only problem introduced by massive immigration in classrooms. According to Düll, student motivation is also declining. “The higher the percentage of immigrants, the harder it is to motivate the class,” he stated. He also expressed concerns that the high number of immigrants could lead to an increase in illiteracy rates. Currently, one-fourth of fourth-grade students in Germany cannot read.
Düll’s criticisms come in the wake of the National Education Report released last Monday, which shows that many children do not even meet the minimum education standards in primary schools. In Berlin, 40% of students do not speak German as their mother tongue, and in cities like Hamburg, the majority of students are of immigrant origin. Overall, a staggering 38% of all children attending primary schools in Germany are from immigrant backgrounds.
This influx not only lowers educational standards but also increases classroom conflicts. For instance, Berlin’s teachers required police intervention in the school system five times a day in 2023, and this number continues to rise.