GEW Berlin Explores Referendum for Smaller Class Sizes to Improve Education
Berlin, June 30, 2026 – The Education and Science Workers’ Union (GEW) Berlin is actively pursuing the implementation of smaller class sizes and is currently examining the feasibility of launching a public referendum to enshrine this change into law. This move comes in response to what the union describes as an unsustainable burden on educators and a negative impact on students’ learning environments.
Gökhan Akgün, chairman of GEW Berlin, highlighted the urgency of the situation, stating, “Too many children are in classes that are too large. Teachers and pedagogical staff have been working at their limits for years. This is not only a problem for the employees but, above all, for the children.”
Addressing Teacher Overload and Enhancing Learning Conditions
The core objective of the proposed referendum is to establish permanent legal standards for Berlin’s schools, ensuring that class sizes are kept at manageable levels. Akgün emphasized the union’s commitment to exploring all avenues, saying, “We want to examine whether important standards for Berlin schools can be permanently secured by law.”
The GEW’s preliminary investigations will focus on several key areas:
- Identifying specific demands that can be legally regulated through a new law.
- Assessing which demands have the potential to garner broad public support.
- Drawing lessons from previous public initiatives, referendums, and plebiscites in Berlin to inform their strategy.
Education Administration Welcomes Initiative, Emphasizes Collaborative Approach
The Berlin Senate Department for Education has expressed a welcoming stance towards the GEW’s announcement. “Every initiative that aims to contribute to improving the quality of education in Berlin is welcome,” the department stated. Education Senator Katharina Günther-Wünsch further elaborated, “We share the goal of further improving the learning and working conditions at our schools. Therefore, I welcome any initiative that supports this concern.”
However, Senator Günther-Wünsch also stressed the importance of continued collaboration, noting, “At the same time, I am convinced that sustainable changes arise where partners work together reliably and build on jointly agreed processes. This is exactly what we laid an important foundation for just a few weeks ago – and we will consistently continue on this path.”
Recent Agreements and Future Discussions
According to the Education Administration, a recent agreement with the GEW has already marked a significant first step towards achieving smaller class sizes. Furthermore, both parties have committed to continuing discussions in the upcoming school year to develop additional improvements collaboratively.
This ongoing dialogue between the Senate Department for Education, Youth and Family, and the GEW aims to foster a cooperative environment for addressing the challenges within Berlin’s educational system. The GEW’s exploration of a public referendum underscores their determination to ensure that these improvements are not only implemented but also legally protected for the long term.
The outcome of the GEW’s assessment regarding the public referendum will be crucial in determining the next steps for this significant educational reform initiative in Berlin.
