Unified Ministry of Education to be introduced by the CDU parliamentary faction - CDU advocates for consolidating education into a single ministry
In Saxony-Anhalt, the educational, financial, science, and social ministries are currently managing educational issues. However, a new proposal by the CDU faction aims to reshape the state's education ministry, bringing about a more focused governance in both the general education and scientific/cultural sectors.
The CDU faction has proposed splitting the education ministry into two separate ministries: one dedicated to Education, Youth, and Family, and another focused solely on Science and Culture. Additionally, they plan to introduce a binding assessment of language proficiency for children.
This assessment, aimed at addressing any deficits before the start of school, is intended to take place in the fourth year of a child's life. It will involve educators in kindergartens, and in cases of major problems, the health department and pediatricians may also be involved.
The proposed language proficiency assessment is to be carried out in Magdeburg, the capital city of Saxony-Anhalt. The CDU faction's goal remains to consolidate educational matters into one ministry in Saxony-Anhalt, a goal expressed by Guido Heuer, the CDU faction leader, who stated that this would be a significant step forward for education in the state.
The education department in Saxony-Anhalt is responsible for school and vocational education, while early childhood education in kindergartens is currently the responsibility of the social ministry. Universities in Saxony-Anhalt are under the jurisdiction of the science ministry.
The language development concern is not limited to children with possible migration backgrounds but also extends to those with a lack of reading aloud. Tobias Krull, the social policy spokesman for the CDU faction, discussed the need for this language proficiency assessment.
While specific legislative details or timelines were not provided, this outlines the CDU faction's structural and policy intentions regarding education and language proficiency assessments in Saxony-Anhalt as of August 2025. The proposed restructuring has been discussed after a CDU faction retreat.
- The CDU faction's recent retreat in Saxony-Anhalt has led to a proposal for a significant restructuring of the education sector, which includes splitting the education ministry into two new ministries focused on Education, Youth, and Family, and Science and Culture, as stated by Guido Heuer, the CDU faction leader.
- Furthermore, the CDU faction aims to introduce a mandatory language proficiency assessment for children in kindergartens across Saxony-Anhalt, with plans for the assessment to take place in the fourth year of a child's life and involve educators, the health department, and pediatricians, as discussed by Tobias Krull, the social policy spokesman for the CDU faction. This policy development falls under the broader umbrella of education policy and legislation in Saxony-Anhalt.