German teachers sound alarm: 'Pupils do not know how to listen, hold pens, or use bathroom'
More than 1,100 teachers in Hesse have signed an open letter to the State Education Ministry. They warn that pupils are arriving at school without basic skills. Problems include poor concentration, weak physical coordination, and even difficulties with lavatory hygiene.
The letter highlights growing concerns about children’s readiness for education. Teachers describe struggles with simple tasks like holding a pen or following classroom rules.
The open letter lists several worrying trends. Many children lack the ability to concentrate for short periods or wait their turn. Others cannot sit upright, tie their shoelaces, or maintain basic hygiene. Teachers report that even fundamental motor skills, such as gripping a pencil correctly, are declining.
Heike Ackermann, chairwoman of the GEW teachers’ union, links these issues to broader societal changes. She points to reduced parental involvement, with many parents spending more time on mobile phones than engaging with their children. Ackermann argues that these shifts have weakened foundational learning at home. Columnist Josef Kraus has suggested that some parents, particularly those from migrant backgrounds, may not always prioritise strong German language skills for their children. However, official data does not support claims of a widespread decline in valuing German proficiency. In fact, the need for language support has fallen from 70% to 59% in recent years, despite a rise in migrant pupils. Challenges remain, though, including cultural differences, language barriers, and misunderstandings about school grading systems. To address the strain on teachers, the GEW is calling for smaller class sizes and additional support staff. The union insists that schools need more resources to help pupils catch up on missed developmental milestones.
The open letter puts pressure on Hesse’s education authorities to act. Teachers want immediate measures to improve classroom conditions and pupil readiness. Without changes, they warn, basic skill deficiencies could worsen in future school years.
