Teachers’ Union Demands Ethics Education from First Grade in Hamburg
Hamburg, June 8 – The Gewerkschaft der Lehrerinnen und Lehrer (GEW), a teachers’ union in Hamburg, is advocating for ethics to be offered as an alternative to religious education starting from the first grade in Hamburg’s schools. The union has submitted a petition to the school authority to support this demand.
The GEW argues that even primary school students should have the option to choose between religious, philosophy, or ethics classes. Currently, this choice is only available from the seventh grade onwards, with religious education being a compulsory subject in primary schools.
Ethics for Democratic Values and Inclusivity
The union believes that ethics or philosophy would be a valuable alternative for primary school children, especially given that over half of Hamburg’s population now identifies with no religious affiliation. They emphasize that ethics education can effectively impart democratic values. Furthermore, the GEW highlights that Hamburg lags behind other German states, such as Bavaria, where ethics is already taught in primary schools.
School Authority Skeptical of Proposal
The GEW’s petition garnered nearly 5,000 signatures, although the union had hoped for 10,000. The petition has now been presented to the relevant Senate committee. However, the school authority has so far rejected the proposed change. They maintain that religious education is intended for all students, regardless of their family’s religious beliefs, and that ethical topics are already integrated into the existing religious curriculum.
Related Educational Discussions in Hamburg
This discussion comes amidst other educational debates in Hamburg. Recently, mental health in schools was a central theme at the Federal Student Conference held at Stadtteilschule Bergedorf, where students called for more school psychologists.
Other News from Hamburg
- Air Force Exercise at Airport: Tornado jets have been conducting exercises at Hamburg Airport, simulating military use of civilian airfields in an emergency.
- Sabotage at Ironman: Metal shavings were deliberately scattered on the cycling route during the Ironman event in Hamburg, prompting an investigation by state security.
- Environmental Concerns in the Elbe: Environmental organizations are concerned about fish deaths in the Elbe River, as oxygen levels at the Seemannshöft measuring station in Finkenwerder have dropped to a critical 1.4 milligrams per liter.
- Increased Debt for Public Transport: Hamburg’s municipal transport companies, VHH and HADAG, have seen their debts quadruple as they invest in climate-friendly mobility initiatives.
The debate surrounding ethics education in primary schools underscores a broader discussion about the role of religious and secular instruction in a diverse society, and how best to prepare young people for active citizenship.
Source: https://www.ndr.de/nachrichten/hamburg/lehrergewerkschaft-fordert-ethik-statt-religion-bereits-ab-klasse-1,ethik-104.html
