National minority representatives in Germany are expressing concern over lacking education about their history, culture and contribution to German society among the majority population. This concern is raised prominently in an opinion published by Council of Europe experts on Germany’s implementation of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities (FCNM).
The opinion notes some progress in education, but gaps remain. For example, Danish minority representatives express “general satisfaction” with knowledge about their minority within the Land of Schleswig-Holstein. That some German schools in the region teach Danish as a foreign/neighbouring language is appreciated, but people in other parts of Germany know “very little” about their minority.
Representatives of Frisians meanwhile find that children in the North Friesland region learn too little about Frisian culture, history and language. Information about Frisians is made available only to a very limited extent in science (Sachkunde) curricula of elementary schools in Schleswig-Holstein and is not addressed in secondary school, “though this would be interesting for teenagers in the context of defining their identity”, according to the opinion. Furthermore, North and Sater Frisian and Sorbian education suffers from a “severe lack” of teachers.
The opinion also notes that school curricula for national minority education varies “immensely” between Germany’s 16 states or Länder. The Advisory Committee finds “little progress” for example in coordinated teaching for all Länder about Sinti and Roma, as reported by Germany’s Standing Conference of Ministers of Culture and Education.
Among recommendations for “immediate action”, the Advisory Committee urges the authorities to ensure that pupils throughout Germany learn about the history and contribution of Frisians, Danes, Sinti and Roma and Sorbs to German society. Such teaching would “create understanding for the continuity and benefits of diversity”.
Germany: Improve education about national minorities and support for Sinti and Roma, says Council of Europe committee