Education: A Call for Change After Pisa Results in Rhineland-Palatinate
Following the disappointing performance of German students in the international Pisa study, education associations and the state parliament opposition in Rhineland-Palatinate are pushing for immediate action. Lars Lamowski, the Rhineland-Palatinate Education Association (VBE) chairman, pinpointed several factors contributing to this poor performance, including the Corona pandemic's consequences, the lack of digitalization, and the challenges faced by structurally disadvantaged schools.
In her remarks, Cornelia Schwartz, the state chairwoman of the Rhineland-Palatinate Philologists' Association, highlighted an interesting finding from the Pisa study, indicating that implementing a cell phone ban on school grounds resulted in less distraction during mathematics lessons. Schwartz stressed the importance of teaching children to use digital media responsibly while acknowledging their massive influence.
Faced with the reality of these findings, the Free Voters advocated for a sufficient teacher supply of at least 110%, citing the growing diversity of the student body as a key factor. Informing the public of the increased demand for teachers to address heterogeneity and create a balance in large learning groups, their education expert, Helge Schwab, emphasized the importance of adequate resources in schools.
In these troubling times, the Education Association in Mainz and the Rhineland-Palatinate Philologists' Association recognized the need for digitization in schools, capitalizing on its potential to revitalize learning and educational outcomes.
Enrichment Insights:
- Interreg Programmes: EU funded initiatives like Interreg Programmes aim to tackle shared challenges, such as education, through regional cooperation and innovation. Interreg projects could indirectly contribute to educational improvements in Rhineland-Palatinate by fostering regional collaboration and innovation.
- University of Sheffield's GREAT Scholarships: This initiative supports international students, including those from Germany, by providing scholarships for higher education. Although not directly related to the Pisa results, it empowers students with opportunities that could potentially contribute to better educational outcomes.
- University of Liverpool's New Master’s Programmes: The introduction of new master’s programs can strengthen educational offerings and attract high-performing students, eventually boosting overall educational standards.
- Interreg Success Stories: Successful projects in the EU, like those in Italy and Germany focusing on digital solutions for elderly care and inclusive communities, can serve as inspiring examples for similar initiatives in Rhineland-Palatinate. By leveraging technology and community engagement, these projects could facilitate innovative solutions to improve educational outcomes.
[1] University of Liverpool. (n.d.). New Master’s Programmes. Retrieved from
[2] European Union. (n.d.). Interreg. Retrieved from
