Despite (or rather, because of) Söder's authoritative intervention: Students are demonstrating against "Exen" (exams) – and for a different school system.

Following a petition signed by over 50,000 people, student protests against the use of unannounced quizzes ("Exen") in Bavarian schools are escalating. Students, led by a Munich student named Amelie N., are organizing a large demonstration in Munich to increase pressure on state politicians to abolish this practice. The protests are fueled by Bavaria's Minister President Markus Söder's support for "Exen," which students see as an undemocratic imposition. They argue that "Exen" create anxiety and encourage short-term memorization over genuine understanding, advocating for a more modern and fear-free learning environment that fosters a love of learning. They plan to present their petition to the education committee, hoping to reignite the debate and influence education policy despite the current political climate. They reject the argument that abolishing "Exen" will lower academic standards.

April 4, 2025

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Source: News4Teacher

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Despite Söder's Decree: Students Protest Against "Exen" – and for a Different School System

April 3, 2025

MUNICH. It started with a petition. But after more than 50,000 people signed it, the criticism of Bavaria's examination system is gaining momentum. Now the protest is taking to the streets.

Bavaria's Prime Minister Markus Söder, a proponent of "Exen". Photo: Shutterstock / WhiteHaven

A few days before the handover of more than 52,000 signatures against Exen (surprise quizzes) and assessments in Bavarian schools, pressure on state politics is set to increase again on Sunday. The initiators of the petition, led by Munich student Amelie N., have called for a large demonstration in Munich on Sunday under the motto "Bavaria kicks off". "We initially registered 1,000 participants, but of course, we hope that many more students will come," said the 17-year-old in Munich. The response to the demo has been "very good" so far.

On April 8, the signatures are to be handed over to the chairwoman of the Education Committee in the state parliament, Ute Eiling-Hütig (CSU). The committee will then also deal with the demands in terms of content. However, whether education policy will be changed because of the majority of CSU and Free Voters is rather unlikely. According to student Amelie, however, the initiators are willing to expand their protests.

Protests Also Against Söder's Decree in Favor of Exen

The background to the renewed student protests is what Amelie calls the "undemocratic decree" by Prime Minister Markus Söder (CSU) last fall. At that time, he intervened in the ongoing discussion about ending the controversial practice of unannounced Exen in Bavarian schools and declared it over in short order: Exen and assessments would naturally remain, he said, drawing much anger upon himself.

Initiators Hope for a School System Without Constant Fear

"We, of course, hope that the debate will now regain momentum and that there will finally be a different education policy," says Amelie. In Bavaria, many teachers and even entire schools have remained stuck in old patterns that prevent a contemporary culture of assessment. Instead of relying on constant fear of unannounced Exen or assessments, the school system must aim to promote enjoyment of school and learning. In any case, politicians must pay more attention to the opinions of students. "We are the future, politicians must listen to us," says the student.

Does a Lower Level of Performance Threaten Without Exen?

Amelie does not want to accept the argument that the level of education would fall without Exen. There are already schools and teachers in Bavaria who consciously forego them – and the students there are no worse. The annual awards for the best schools in the country also show that Exen are often dispensed with there. The petition also states that the fear of Exen only promotes short-term and superficial rote learning, but not long-term understanding and retention of content. News4teachers / with material from dpa

Feeling Unheard? Imagine a School That Listens.

The protests described in this article highlight a critical need for change in education. Are you, as a parent, concerned about the pressures of traditional schooling and the methods used to motivate (or demotivate) students? Do you believe your child deserves an education that fosters a genuine love for learning rather than fear of failure?

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Sustainability

Founded by Engin, a father of four, BlitzFast was born out of a desire to provide children with a stress-free, personalized education that prepares them not just for exams, but for life. Inspired by personal experiences and the need for a safe, supportive learning environment, BlitzFast aims to be more than just a school – it's a platform that empowers families and unlocks potential. Whether you're an expat, a digital nomad, or simply seeking a better educational alternative, BlitzFast offers a future-ready curriculum that nurtures creativity, independence, and technological proficiency.

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We are currently developing BlitzFast and are looking for an exclusive group of parents to join our test group and help shape the future of education. By providing feedback, you can contribute to the development of our AI-powered learning platform, influence our project-based learning modules, refine our language practice tools, and enhance our creative subjects.

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In Summary:

Students are protesting against traditional "Exen" in Bavaria.
They seek a more engaging and less fear-based learning environment.
BlitzFast offers an alternative: a flexible, AI-powered online school focusing on 21st-century skills.
We are looking for parents to join our exclusive test group and help shape the future of BlitzFast.
Sign up for our newsletter at https://blitzfa.st to get involved!

This article is based on content from News4Teacher. Visit the original source for more information.

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