More than 500,000 Students joined the protests Since early November students are on strike in Germany. At more than 70 universities lectures are being boycotted in order to demonstrate against the unbearable study conditions. A new law proposed by the Minister of Education, Science and Research to streamline higher education is under strong attack of more than a third of the student population. The law is expected to be approved by the parliament within the next two months.
Free education is one of the pillars of Germany's social state.
Public spending for universities has been cut for years related to the GDP, like in other social and cultural areas. Referring to the federal government this share is being cut as part of efforts to meet fiscal targets to qualify for the common European currency. The 1.8 million students have to bear with institutions intended to accommodate only half as many. Additionally conditions to qualify for state grants and loans have been getting tougher. Insufficient study finance force more than two thirds of them to work part time.