German teachers warn: children can't use the toilet or hold a pencil

More than a thousand teachers in Hesse, Germany, warn of a worrying decline in basic skills among pupils. In an open letter, they warn that children often do not know how to hold a pencil properly, use scissors, listen, concentrate and, in extreme cases, even use toilet paper. Pupils' language and anxiety disorders are also deteriorating.

The Hessian education union GEW has therefore called on the education ministry to improve conditions in schools, reports Die Welt.

According to Bild newspaper, the initiator of the call, Heike Ackermann, says teachers have reached their limits and are struggling with rising expectations in areas such as digitalisation, inclusion and all-day care. She says schools are constantly being given new challenges, but lack the support and realistic opportunities to meet them.

Teachers do not blame the children for the situation, but society and politics, which are failing. They also suggest that the problems are exacerbated by migrant children finding it harder to adapt to the school regime.

Meanwhile, the statutory entitlement to full-day care will come into force in the 2026/27 school year, putting even more pressure on schools. Teachers are therefore calling for more qualified teachers, psychologists and a maximum of 20 pupils per class.

(swag)