German school expels siblings after parents reject gender ideology

A family in Berlin-Dahlem has been at the center of a contentious dispute after their three children were expelled from a local Waldorf school for rejecting the institution’s stance on gender identity. The conflict began in October 2025 during a parent-teacher meeting when a newly appointed biology teacher stated that genders beyond male and female exist and should be normalized. The father, Christoph Schröter, raised objections, asserting that only two biological sexes exist.

Teacher’s remarks deepen dispute

Following the initial disagreement, school administrators became involved, and a subsequent meeting was convened between the family and school representatives. During the discussions, the teacher reportedly told the parents that it would not be an issue for him if children chose to identify sexually as “dogs or puppies,” a remark that further heightened tensions. For many conservative observers in Türkiye and across Europe, the incident has raised broader concerns about the limits of parental authority and the role of educational institutions in shaping children’s understanding of identity.

Contract terminated over diversity document

After the exchanges, school management presented the family with a document affirming its commitment to diversity regarding “different genders and sexual identities,” according to Schröter. When the parents declined to sign, administrators terminated the children’s enrollment contracts, citing a breakdown of trust. The father has expressed suspicion that his political affiliation with the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party and his social media activity may have influenced the school’s decision, though he maintains his children had not engaged in any misconduct.

School defends its position

School officials have pushed back against the family’s account, arguing that the situation has been misrepresented and that the reasons for expulsion were more complex than presented. The case has drawn attention to growing cultural tensions in German education, where debates over gender ideology and parental rights have increasingly spilled into public view. As European societies grapple with similar discussions, the Berlin dispute highlights the challenges facing families who hold traditional views in educational environments that emphasize progressive approaches to gender and identity.