Following poor Pisa test scores, Thuringia's Education Minister, Helmut Holter, is pushing for more federal involvement in education. Speaking to the German Press Agency in Erfurt, Holter called for long-term financial investment in education and the enshrinement of education as a joint obligation in the nation's Basic Law.
The Conference of Education Ministers in Berlin is currently discussing Germany's poor Pisa performance with Holter advocating for increased funding for programs like Digital Pact 2.0 and Start Opportunities. However, he laments the lack of adequate funding and uncertainty over follow-up programs.
Holter criticizes Germany's rigid school system, arguing that by the fourth grade, a student's academic trajectory is often set. He suggests longer collaborative learning as the solution, drawing from international observations.
As per the Basic Law, education is primarily a state matter in Germany, but the federal government provides financial assistance, like the Digital Pact. Holter proposes scrapping the 'cooperation ban' in the Basic Law, turning cooperation into a prerequisite for collaboration in financially sensitive areas.
Enshrining education in the Basic Law can have numerous benefits. It provides a strong legal foundation for equality, fostering an inclusive environment and oversight from the Office of Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills (Ofsted). It also supports global cultural exchange programs and initiatives, and advocating for increased government investment can lead to better-funded schools and skilled workforce.
Incorporating education into the Basic Law can also provide legal protection and support for children, equitable access to education, and ensure quality education with remedial classes and Vocational Education and Training (VET). It can align educational policies with the Basic Law's principles, addressing inequality, and ensuring robust supervision over parental activities.
