AfD’s Education Proposals Reveal Broader Political Strategy

The Alternative for Germany (AfD) party’s recent proposals regarding education, including the possibility of homeschooling and reduced compulsory schooling, are not simply about improving the German school system. Rather, they represent a strategic effort to delegitimize democratic institutions and promote a specific cultural and political worldview, experts say.

The Proposal: Homeschooling and Reduced Compulsory Schooling

Ulrich Siegmund, the AfD’s lead candidate in Saxony-Anhalt, has advocated for allowing students to be taught “in smaller associations or in homeschooling,” with state examinations occurring every six months . A motion to this effect was introduced in the Brandenburg state parliament, seeking a change to the Basic Law to recognize home learning as equivalent to traditional schooling, but ultimately failed.

Critique of the German School System as a Pretext

The AfD frames its proposals as a response to existing problems within the German school system, such as teacher shortages, dilapidated buildings, and declining performance in international studies. Although, critics argue that the party does not offer solutions to these problems – such as increased funding or staffing – but instead uses them as justification for dismantling the existing system. The AfD’s focus on “compulsory school attendance” is seen as a rhetorical devaluation of the educational process itself.

Ideological Underpinnings: Cultural Sovereignty and Anti-Pluralism

The AfD’s educational proposals are rooted in a broader ideological agenda. The party views schools as ideologically driven institutions that undermine the family’s role in education and promote a “left-wing indoctrination.” Concepts like anti-racism, diversity, and political education are recast as threats, with homeschooling presented as a protective space from perceived hostility. This retreat into the private sphere is seen as an act of self-immunization against a public sphere perceived as adversarial.

The “Security Argument” and Ethnic Affiliation

The AfD also raises concerns about safety and integration within schools, citing violence, indiscipline, and cultural conflicts, particularly related to the presence of immigrant students. Critics contend that this “security argument” is a thinly veiled attempt to promote ethnic segregation and question the value of schools as spaces for integration and intercultural exchange.

Historical Context: Compulsory Schooling and the Reformation

The AfD presents compulsory schooling as a modern invention of an overreaching state. However, its origins trace back to the Reformation in the 16th century, driven by the egalitarian idea that all individuals should be able to read and interpret the Bible for themselves. This historical perspective highlights the progressive roots of compulsory schooling, which aimed to provide education as a social basis and reduce the influence of parental origin on educational opportunities.

Erosion of Trust in Institutions

Despite the limited prospects of success for the AfD’s proposals – compulsory schooling is deeply entrenched in German law and requires a two-thirds majority in parliament to change – the initiative is viewed as part of a broader strategy to delegitimize democratic institutions. This strategy includes rhetorically devaluing schools, public broadcasting, and the courts, with the ultimate goal of eroding trust in the established order.

Ulrich Siegmund and the AfD’s Rise

Ulrich Siegmund, born October 25, 1990, has been a member of the Landtag of Saxony-Anhalt since 2016 and co-group leader of the AfD since 2022 . He is the AfD’s lead candidate in the 2026 Saxony-Anhalt state election . Recent polls indicate the AfD holds 39-40% support in the state , giving Siegmund a realistic chance of leading the state government.