If it were up to the AfD, some of my classmates would no longer be there in the future

Teachers in eastern Germany are growing increasingly concerned over a noticeable shift toward right-wing ideologies among students, with reports of Nazi symbols appearing in schools and political pressure mounting from the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD). According to a survey conducted by the German investigative journalism outlet CORRECTIV, nearly 60 educators from Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and Saxony-Anhalt have shared their experiences regarding the challenges they face in promoting democratic values amid rising extremism. One such teacher, identified as Lisa Hoffmann, works at a special needs school in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. She describes witnessing a gradual drift among her students toward more extreme views, marked by the presence of swastika graffiti and the display of the Nazi anthem "Auf der Heide." Hoffmann notes that while she feels compelled to instill democratic principles and tolerance in her students, she often finds herself isolated in this effort. She says few colleagues take consistent action against such behavior, and the school administration does little to address these issues. “I feel helpless,” she states. The survey, which included detailed interviews with nine teachers, highlights widespread concerns about the increasing prevalence of right-wing expressions within educational institutions. Educators report instances of students displaying the Hitler salute in hallways and wearing clothing associated with far-right groups. Additionally, several teachers mention experiencing pressure from the AfD through formal complaints and parliamentary inquiries aimed at challenging their teaching methods. The AfD has been systematically targeting educators since at least 2025, submitting numerous small inquiries to state parliaments concerning alleged violations of the so-called neutrality principle. This principle prohibits teachers from overwhelming students with personal political opinions or conducting election campaigns in class. However, the AfD distorts this concept to target educators who promote constitutional values such as diversity and human dignity. Many of the interviewed teachers prefer to remain anonymous due to fears of facing backlash from right-wing groups. Hoffmann, despite being identifiable, expresses concern not only about potential hostility from the AfD but also about how her school leadership might respond. A colleague teaching at a vocational school in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania remarks that having a clear stance on social issues can be detrimental to a teacher’s career in the region. The educational landscape in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania appears to prioritize minimizing the visibility of extremist incidents rather than addressing them openly. Hoffmann explains that the school system is structured to suppress problems, including cases of right-wing extremism, to prevent them from becoming public knowledge. The school administration seeks to avoid any reports of extremist activities reaching local education authorities. In both Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and Saxony-Anhalt, the AfD holds significant electoral support, with recent polls indicating around 35 percent in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and over 40 percent in Saxony-Anhalt. The AfD's regional branch in Saxony-Anhalt has been designated as firmly right-extremist by the federal domestic intelligence service in 2023. The situation raises questions about the future of democratic education in regions where the AfD could influence policy decisions. Should the party gain power in either state, its impact on school curricula and educational policies could become substantial. Teachers fear that their efforts to foster inclusive environments may come under increased scrutiny or even retaliation. As the political climate continues to evolve, educators remain vigilant, striving to maintain the integrity of democratic values within their classrooms despite the pressures they face. Their concerns underscore the broader challenge of safeguarding democratic principles in educational settings amid rising political tensions.