German education minister pledges to listen to youth after protests

German Education Minister Karin Prien on Sunday condemned the riots following youth protests in several German cities, while insisting that important issues raised by young demonstrators must be addressed.

"The fact that violent individuals effectively hijacked demonstrations in some places has diverted attention from the genuine concerns of the younger generation. I particularly regret this," the minister from Chancellor Friedrich Merz's Christian Democrats said.

"The overwhelming majority took to the streets peacefully. I hear their voices, and I want to engage with them in more in-depth discussions," Prien said, while adding: "I strongly condemn the serious violence that occurred in several cities. We cannot tolerate this."

Prien called for reforms to the pension, care and health care systems to ensure that sufficient funding would be available for urgently needed investment in education and future generations.

"We must make education a permanent number-one priority for society as a whole in our country," she said.

Prien highlighted plans to introduce compulsory language assessments in nurseries in disadvantaged areas, ensuring that all children start school with equally good opportunities.

As in other European countries, German primary schools take in many children who are not proficient in German when they start school.

Prien is to hold meetings next week with representatives of the Federal Students' Conference, as well as Maike Finnern, head of the Education and Science Workers' Union (GEW).