A leading student representative has voiced serious concerns about the mental wellbeing of young people as the new school year begins, calling for a significant investment of €100 billion in the education system.
Quentin Gärtner, General Secretary of the Bundesschülerkonferenz (Federal Student Conference), described what he termed a “crisis of mental health” among children and adolescents, stating that “millions of students are not doing well”. He highlighted that a significant portion – over one in four – rate their quality of life as low and many struggle to actively participate in school.
Gärtner emphasized the inadequacy of current educational infrastructure to address these issues, accusing the system of structural neglect from both state and society. He specifically pointed to a widespread shortage of school psychologists and social workers and criticized curricula which he described as promoting “bulimia-style learning” rather than catering to student needs.
The representative argued for a more relevant and practical education system aligned with real-world demands, advocating for a shift away from outdated methods and a greater focus on skills like artificial intelligence competency and democratic education. He stressed the need for political action, emphasizing that young people’s concerns must be taken seriously and that investment in education is essential, characterizing schools as “critical infrastructure.
Furthermore, Gärtner dismissed proposed social media restrictions for students, proposing instead the implementation of age-appropriate media literacy education within schools. He criticized the lack of consultation with students, specifically accusing Education Minister Karin Prien of excluding them from expert discussions on the topic. Gärtner urged policymakers to directly involve young people, asserting they are the “experts” on their own lives and experiences.
