Greifswalder Fischerschule: School expulsions skyrocket by 600%!

Greifswalder Fischerschule: School expulsions skyrocket by 600%!

In Greifswald, the “Erwin Fischer” comprehensive school is once again attracting attention. Opened in August 2019 by Chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU), the school has the highest number of expulsions in all of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. As Ostsee-Zeitung reports, the number of expulsions at the Fischerschule increased in the current 2024/25 school year 12, which represents an incredible 600 percent increase compared to last year.

The reasons for this dramatic increase are worrying. Violence, bullying and drug-related offenses are the main causes of expulsions, which not only puts strain on the school community but also raises questions about how to deal with these serious issues. What is particularly striking is that five of the expulsions came from the Fischerschule, while Neubrandenburg and Rostock lag behind with four and three expulsions respectively. This has also brought politics into the spotlight.

Political reactions

The AfD politician Enrico Schult sees the state government as responsible and is calling for more teachers with “natural authority” and improved sanction options. He says not enough is being done to combat growing violence and drug-related crime, which is a significant concern for many parents and students. But he's not the only one drawing attention: the left-wing state leader Hennis Herbst addresses the problem of right-wing extremism and political polarization in schools and calls for increased prevention programs.

The Ministry of Education has also reacted and is warning of the increasing incidents of violence that can be observed in schools. These include bullying, physical assault, but also amok and bomb threats as well as sexual assault. A clear strategy to combat these problems needs to be put in place urgently. The state government is therefore planning a new anti-violence concept to improve violence prevention in schools.

Focus on prevention

In a further step towards improving the security situation in schools, the importance of preventing school violence and bullying is highlighted. As part of a national strategy that has been in place since 2008, schools are encouraged to create a positive environment that discourages aggressive behavior. According to bmb.gv.at, children and young people have a right to a safe and violence-free life. Experiences of violence can have long-term negative effects on mental health and life satisfaction.

The principles of action for prevention work include, among other things, a zero-tolerance policy against violence, the recognition of diversity and the strengthening of the social and emotional skills of teachers. Workshops on preventing violence and extremism, which cover topics such as democracy, discrimination and media literacy, are offered to schools free of charge. From this, teachers can learn how to create an appreciative school climate.

The Center for Violence and Bullying Prevention at the Burgenland University of Education is available to support educators in personality development and primary prevention. The focus is primarily on gender-reflective violence prevention and thus provides a foundation for dialogue and tolerant coexistence in schools.

In summary, it can be said that there is a need for action at the Greifswalder Fischerschule. The dramatic increase in the number of school expulsions is a call for increased prevention work, which, as those responsible emphasize, still needs to be expanded. Only through a comprehensive strategy that takes all aspects into account can the problem of school violence be effectively addressed.