Berlin reverses plan to drop East German history after fierce backlash

Educators and historians fought to preserve a critical lesson in Germany’s divided past. Now, Berlin’s students won’t be allowed to skip this pivotal chapter.

, and Administrator

2026 January 17 . 5:04 AM

1 min read

The image shows an old map of the city of Berlin, Germany, with a plan of the Berliner... — The image shows an old map of the city of Berlin, Germany, with a plan of the Berliner Gewerbe-Ausstellung in 1879. The map is detailed and shows the various buildings, roads, and other features of the area. The text on the paper provides further information about the city, such as the names of the streets, parks, and landmarks.

Berlin reverses plan to drop East German history after fierce backlash

Berlin’s plans to reform history teaching in its Gymnasien have been revised after strong criticism. The original proposal would have made East German history optional for older students. Now, the subject will stay compulsory in the upper grades following public backlash.

The Berlin Senate initially aimed to move East German history to the third semester of upper-level studies. This change would have allowed students to skip the topic entirely. Education groups quickly raised concerns about the implications of such a shift.

The History Teachers’ Association and the Federal Foundation for the Study of Communist Dictatorship issued an open letter opposing the reform. They argued that Berlin holds a unique historical responsibility as the former centre of Nazi power, the capital of East Germany, and a key Cold War location. Their intervention added pressure on officials to reconsider. Education Senator Katharina Günther-Wünsch later confirmed that East German history would remain a mandatory subject. The decision reverses the earlier plan and ensures students continue to study this period in depth.

The revised curriculum keeps East German history as a required topic for upper-grade pupils. The Senate’s reversal follows direct criticism from educators and historians. Berlin’s schools will now maintain a stronger focus on the city’s complex 20th-century past.