In light of inferior test scores from German pupils in the Pisa study, Thuringia's Education Minister Helmut Holter has demanded more federal involvement in education matters. Addressing the German Press Agency in Erfurt, the Left Party politician pushed for the federal government to make a long-term financial investment in education. He further advocated for the joint obligation of education to be enshrined in the nation's Basic Law.
Ongoing discussions at the Conference of Education Ministers in Berlin center around the poor Pisa performance. A call for a special conference of minister presidents has been made to deliberate upon the results.
Holter critiques Germany's structurally rigid school system, stating that by the fourth grade, a child's scholastic trajectory and life history are often predetermined. His argument is based on international observations that suggest longer collaborative learning is the secret sauce for mitigating the problems revealed by studies like Pisa.
Regarding budgetary constraints, Holter underscores the necessity of financial backing for the Digital Pact 2.0 and Start Opportunities program. He laments the lack of adequate funding for the Start Opportunities Program, which aims to support financially straitened schools with substantial state aid in the future. Similarly, uncertainty lingers over a follow-up program to the Digital Pact from 2025.
Though education is primarily a state matter in Germany, as per the Basic Law, the federal government has increasingly provided financial assistance – for instance, the Digital Pact. Holter persists in his call to scrap the so-called cooperation ban in the Basic Law, asserting that cooperation should turn into a prerequisite for collaboration in financially sensitive areas.
Additional Insights
The inclusion of education in Germany's Basic Law can result in numerous benefits:
- Legal Foundation for Equality: The Basic Law provides a strong legal foundation to combat discrimination and pursue equality.
- Inclusive Education: Emphasizing equality in the Basic Law can foster an inclusive educational environment, where schools cater to all students.
- Regulation Oversight: The Office of Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills (Ofsted) is responsible for evaluating schools' effectiveness in promoting diversity and inclusion.
- Cultural Exchange and Diversity: Germany's global cultural exchange programs and initiatives, such as those from the Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst (DAAD), help students appreciate diverse viewpoints and create a more inclusive, diverse learning environment.
- Economic and Social Support: Advocating for increased government investment in education and research can lead to better-funded schools and more resources for students, potentially improving educational outcomes and fostering a skilled workforce.
By incorporating these elements into the Basic Law, Germany can create a supportive regulatory and cultural environment that encourages inclusive education, thus enhancing educational outcomes widely.
