The head of the Federal Conference of Students, Quentin Gärtner, has voiced concerns over the mental well-being of students as the new academic year begins, advocating for a substantial investment of €100 billion in the education system.
Speaking to the Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland, Gärtner stated, “We are experiencing a crisis in the mental health of children and adolescents”. He highlighted that millions of students are struggling, with many unable to consistently participate in school life. Over a quarter of students now report a low quality of life. Gärtner argued that schools are ill-equipped to address these issues and are, in fact, often overlooked by both state and society.
A major deficiency, according to Gärtner, is the widespread lack of school psychologists and social workers. He also called for curriculum reforms that prioritize student needs over rote memorization. “The school must better align with real life” he asserted. “We need less rigid instruction and more focus on skills like AI literacy and democratic education.
Gärtner urged policymakers to take the concerns of young people seriously and to involve them in developing solutions. He emphasized the crucial role of schools in the future and argued that the proposed investment is necessary to support and build resilience in children and adolescents. The need to foster students’ strengths and offer greater freedom within the classroom was also stressed.
Regarding ongoing discussions about social media restrictions for students, Gärtner opposed the proposals, advocating instead for age-appropriate media education within schools. He criticized Education Minister Karin Prien for excluding student perspectives on the issue, even when setting up expert commissions. He concluded by appealing to policymakers to engage directly with students, recognizing them as the experts on matters affecting their lives.