History was made when Dr. Merkel visited German School New Delhi (DSND) during her trip to India, giving learners the rare and unforgettable opportunity to meet the chancellor who shaped 16 years of German politics in person. A deep sense of excitement filled the school as learners realised she was standing right before them.
Dr. Merkel was warmly welcomed by School Principal Martin van Neerven, members of the School Board, teachers, the administrative team and learners. The atmosphere was filled with pride and anticipation, marking the occasion as truly memorable for the entire school community.
She was accompanied by the German Ambassador to India and Bhutan, Dr. Philipp Ackermann and members of the delegation. During her visit, Dr. Merkel engaged with learners from the Primary School as well as Secondary I and II, showing genuine interest in their academic experiences and perspectives.
A particular highlight was the engaging Q&A session with the learners of Secondary II. Facilitated by van Neerven, the session provided learners with a unique opportunity to ask thoughtful questions and exchange ideas with one of the most influential political leaders of our time. The discussion covered a wide range of topics, inspiring learners and encouraging meaningful dialogue.
“Textbooks contain a great deal — and much that is important — but learning from real figures of contemporary history is something else entirely. We want to make such real-life encounters possible for our learners, the decision-makers of tomorrow. Who could be better suited than Dr. Merkel, who captivated our learners when she spoke about the difficult decisions during the COVID-19 crisis and about how politics can remain credible? She gave thoughtful and wise answers to our learners’ questions. We all learned a great deal,” says van Neerven.
Some key takeaways from the discussion included:
· Staying open-minded and curious
· Surrounding yourself with the right people to succeed
· The importance of critical thinking in the age of artificial intelligence and social media
· Remaining resilient and responsible in times of crisis
“Welcoming former German Chancellor Dr. Merkel to our school was a great honour. We hope that the interaction with her inspires our learners to see themselves as active participants in shaping the future of democracy,” says Erik Illig, Chairman of the School Board. “It was deeply inspiring to witness our learners engage so confidently and thoughtfully with Dr. Merkel. Moments like these reinforce the importance of international dialogue and the role our school plays in shaping globally minded young people,” adds Molengwa Rose Luckscheiter, Member of the School Board.
Dr. Merkel’s visit will remain a cherished milestone in the history of DSND.
