The Greens in the Saxon State Parliament are raising concerns about the mental health of children and young people in Saxony’s schools, citing issues such as overloaded teaching plans, grading and performance pressure, stress, and bullying. In a recent position paper, Green education expert Christin Melcher highlighted the need to prioritize the well-being of students alongside their academic achievements.
School’s Impact on Mental Health
Melcher, a member of the Saxon State Parliament from Leipzig, emphasized that while the school law’s educational and teaching mandate is holistic, in practice, academic knowledge often takes precedence over students’ personal well-being and mental health. She pointed out that “school can make you sick,” particularly noting how the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated existing issues for young people. The pandemic, according to Melcher, acted as a catalyst, worsening the mental health crisis among students, a situation further strained by teacher shortages and other resource limitations.
Melcher referred to studies showing a growing sense of unhappiness among young people, who are increasingly characterized by “anxiety, uncertainty, and little hope for the future.” She attributed this trend to global crises and the pressures of constant comparison with others, often fueled by social media.
Proposals for Change
The Greens propose a comprehensive approach to address these challenges, starting with a shift in how schools operate. Melcher argued that mental health should be given more prominence in schools, asserting that children and young people need to be strong and resilient to navigate an increasingly complex world. “Children and young people can only learn well if they are healthy and happy,” she said.
To achieve this, the Greens are calling for a “new learning and testing culture” that includes fewer performance assessments and alternative feedback formats. They argue that the current emphasis on performance pressure is counterproductive to building competencies and self-confidence. Additionally, they propose allowing students to learn together for longer periods, such as in comprehensive schools, to foster a more supportive learning environment.
Melcher also suggested that mental health topics—such as stress management, nutrition, sleep, and exercise—should be directly addressed in the classroom. This could take the form of a new school subject focused on “Happiness” or “Psychological Health and School.”
Further Initiatives
The Greens are advocating for starting school later in the day and combining assessments of learning progress with evaluations of students’ mental health. They believe that just as school performance levels are recorded and analyzed, so too should the school climate and student well-being be prioritized. The Green faction is also calling for increased research on mental health in schools and improved psychotherapeutic care for children and young people.
Melcher and the Green Group hope these initiatives will help maintain the curiosity, creativity, and joy of learning that children bring to school, ultimately leading to a healthier and more balanced educational experience for all students.
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