For expat and immigrant families raising children in Germany, the local education system is one of the most immediate and personal points of contact with German society. In Saxony-Anhalt, the AfD has put forward a set of education policy proposals that, if realised, could significantly alter how schools operate in the state. From changes to history curricula to the potential abolition of inclusive education, these plans have sparked debate — and legal questions about how much of the agenda could actually be implemented.
According to reports, the AfD in Saxony-Anhalt wants to shift the balance in history teaching, giving more prominence to figures like Bismarck while reducing the focus on the Nazi period. The party also reportedly wants to abolish inclusive education — the model that integrates children with and without disabilities into the same classrooms — and to allow home schooling, which is currently banned in Germany.
These proposals represent a significant departure from the direction German education policy has taken in recent decades, particularly on inclusion, which has been supported by international frameworks Germany has signed.
Not all of what is politically demanded is legally possible, as the reporting makes clear. Home schooling, for instance, is prohibited across Germany under compulsory schooling laws (Schulpflicht), and changing this would require legislative action at a level that goes beyond state politics alone. Similarly, inclusive education is supported by Germany's obligations under international agreements, making a straightforward abolition legally complex.
This means that even if the AfD were to gain political influence in Saxony-Anhalt, the practical implementation of some proposals would face significant legal hurdles. Families should follow developments but understand that proposed policies and enacted policies are very different things.
Families who have moved to Saxony-Anhalt — or are considering doing so — may have children in the state school system or be planning to enrol them. Any shift in how history is taught, how inclusion works, or what schooling models are available directly affects those children's educational experience.
For families with children who have special educational needs and currently benefit from inclusive schooling, proposals to end that model are particularly relevant to watch. Equally, families from countries where home schooling is common may note that it remains illegal in Germany regardless of these proposals, and that is unlikely to change in the near term.
Changes to how the Nazi period is taught in history class could also feel significant to families from communities that experienced the consequences of that era, or to parents who place value on a curriculum that engages critically with this history.
No. Home schooling is currently prohibited in Germany under compulsory schooling laws. Children are required to attend a registered school. The AfD's proposal to allow home schooling would require substantial legal changes and faces significant barriers. If you have questions about schooling obligations for your children, contact your local school authority (Schulamt).
These are proposals specific to the AfD in Saxony-Anhalt. Education policy in Germany is largely a matter for individual federal states (Länder), so changes in one state do not automatically apply elsewhere. If you live in a different state, your children's school system is governed by that state's own rules and political decisions.
If you have concerns about your child's schooling — whether related to inclusive education, curriculum, or enrolment — speak directly with your child's school or the local Schulamt. For broader questions about your rights as a parent in Germany, a family law adviser or integration service can help.
The AfD's education proposals in Saxony-Anhalt are at the proposal stage, and legal experts have already flagged that not all of them could be implemented as stated. However, it is worth staying informed if your family lives in or plans to move to the state. Monitor local news from Saxony-Anhalt, keep in touch with your children's school, and consult the relevant Schulamt if you have specific questions about how current or future policies affect your family.
Source: tagesschau
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