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Students Take to Streets Across North Rhine-Westphalia to Demand Education Overhaul

Demonstrations in six cities crystallized student demands for better facilities, a unified comprehensive system with all-day schooling, capped class sizes, relief from grading pressure

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Overview

  • Around 1,000 students rallied at Essen’s Willy-Brandt-Platz while hundreds more mobilized in Düsseldorf, Münster, Gummersbach and Eitorf in largely peaceful protests organized by BSV Essen and LSV NRW
  • Protesters called for massive investments in school infrastructure, modern equipment and recruitment of qualified teachers to address deteriorating conditions
  • Demonstrators rejected the multi-track school system and advocated for inclusive all-day comprehensive schools to promote social equity
  • A class-size cap of 15 pupils was urged to improve individual support and reduce stress, alongside criticism of the traditional grading system as overly pressurizing
  • Ahead of the protests, many young participants faced racist and abusive comments on social media, a backlash organizers say underscores the urgency of inclusive reforms