Thuringia Introduces Constitution Quarter Hour in Schools - Thuringia Tests 15-Minute Democracy Lessons to Counter Extremism in Schools
Thuringia's Ministry of Education is launching a new civic education program called the constitutional quarter-hour. The initiative aims to strengthen students' understanding of democracy, fundamental freedoms, and the rule of law. It will start as a pilot in 22 schools before potentially expanding across the state.
The program will run as a weekly 15-minute session for seventh and eighth graders in lower secondary education. Teachers must present political topics neutrally, offering at least two differing perspectives. If a position—such as one from the far-right AfD—conflicts with constitutional values, educators are required to clarify this.
The Left Party's education spokesperson, Ulrike Grosse-Röthig, criticised the initiative as superficial. She called it a colorful sticker with no real-world impact and urged more concrete steps against far-right influences in schools. Meanwhile, AfD's education spokesperson, Denny Jankowski, dismissed the program as blind activism and faulted the guidelines for being unclear.
Discussion topics will cover the separation of powers, democratic principles, and the limits of free speech. The ministry plans to assess the pilot before deciding on a wider rollout across Thuringia.
The pilot phase will test the program's effectiveness in 22 schools across all districts. If successful, the constitutional quarter-hour could become a permanent feature in Thuringia's curriculum. The initiative reflects ongoing debates about how schools should address political extremism and civic responsibility.
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