Overview
- The Bundesrat adopted a multi‑Länder Entschließung on July 10 that explicitly defends the general Schulpflicht and asks the federal government to treat it as a key consideration in future education‑related legislation and funding.
- The resolution is non‑binding political guidance that was driven by an initiative from Thüringen and joined by Sachsen‑Anhalt, Brandenburg, Bremen, Hamburg, Niedersachsen, Saarland and Sachsen.
- The move responds to the AfD in Sachsen‑Anhalt proposing a switch from compulsory school attendance to a broader ‘Bildungspflicht’ that would allow parents to choose home instruction if it meets set standards.
- Legal and constitutional barriers make abolishing Schulpflicht difficult, citing the Bundesverfassungsgericht’s 2006 decision and state constitutional provisions, so practical change would require large state majorities.
- Supporters say keeping children in school protects equal chances, integration and civic education, while critics warn the AfD program risks weakening shared curricula and political education and the Bundesrat suggested conditioning federal programs as a lever to preserve common standards.