In January, BBS Alice Salomon and David-Roentgen-Schule took part in a pilot project organized by the state parliament. The aim of the project was to enable pupils to come into direct contact with politics. The project culminated in a graffiti workshop, the results of which were then discussed on site with Mr. Hendrik Hering, President of the State Parliament.
The project, which aims to familiarize students at vocational schools with the work of the state parliament, is clearly a high priority for the parliament: the president of the state parliament personally attended the first official meeting, which took place at the Alice Salomon BBS and the David Roentgen School in Neuwied.
The state parliament is the supreme body of political decision-making in the German federal state of Rhineland-Palatinate, elected by the people. It represents the people, elects the Minister President and confirms the state government, adopts laws and the state budget, controls the executive power and participates in the formation of the state’s will.

From Tuesday, 21.03.2023, to Thursday, 23.03.2023, BBS Alice Salomon and David-Röntgen-Schule in Neuwied received a very special visit: the state parliament from Mainz introduced itself. During this time, the pupils were able to find out about the work of the state parliament in the cafeteria and also solve a quiz; if they answered correctly, they could even win a hot drink, a muesli or an apple spritzer, which was gladly accepted by the students from both schools. The classes were also able to book workshops on three different topics, namely “Regulars’ table slogans – I won’t just leave them standing”, “State politics – but SIMPLE” or “Letting off steam”. A total of 25 classes in Neuwied and three more classes at the BBS Alice Salomon school in Linz took part in workshops, meaning that many young people were able to benefit from the campaign.

Finally, one class from each school was able to take part in a political art project led by Cologne graffiti artist Kai “Semor” Niederhausen. Here, the students from the curative education and vocational high schools first collected the topics that were most important to them and then expressed them in graffiti under his professional guidance. As the final highlight of the event, the schools were then visited by the President of the State Parliament, Mr. Hendrik Hering, to whom the pupils presented the works they had created in the afternoon. The pictures served as a welcome starting point for discussions about politics and commitment to democracy.

Mr. Hering had an open ear for all areas, from the lack of childcare for our students, to difficulties with public transport in rural areas, to the lack of appreciation for work in the care sector and the barely affordable basic cost of living for students and trainees.
The organizers on the school side, together with their head teachers, were delighted with comments such as “The graffiti workshop was the best extracurricular event we’ve had so far” and “Parliament has invited our class – when are we going?”. All in all, a great initiative by the state parliament and a successful project at both schools!