Overview
- Bavaria's education ministry, in a circular disclosed Wednesday, ordered secondary schools to include the Bavarian anthem and either the German or EU anthem at graduation ceremonies starting in the 2026/27 school year.
- Schools will choose live or recorded music, students do not have to sing, and organizers should hand out lyric sheets for those who want to join in.
- The rule exempts primary schools and cites Germany’s §90a criminal code on insulting state symbols, a warning that drew special attention.
- The final policy scales back CSU leader Markus Söder’s push for all three hymns and an immediate start, after minister Anna Stolz steered a later rollout.
- The teachers’ union GEW condemned the reference to §90a and called the measure a misplaced priority, while some principals said they will plan formats that fit their school culture.