Stark-Watzinger’s education summit under criticism

Bettina Stark-Watzinger

The Federal Minister of Education called for more cooperation in the field of education.

(Photo: IMAGO/Jens Schicke)

Berlin Federal Education Minister Bettina Stark-Watzinger actually wanted to ensure more team spirit at the education summit on Tuesday: In order to overcome the “deep crisis” of the system, the federal, state and local governments would finally have to “pull in the same direction”, the liberal advertised in advance in the “Bild “-Newspaper. The federal government cannot always just give more money. In order to finally tackle the structural problems, everyone involved in the education sector would have to cooperate “instead of pointing the finger at others”.

However, this fails because of the Union Ministers of Education, who only send their state secretaries to the summit. Hesse’s Minister of Education, Alexander Lorz, explains this as follows: Stark-Watzinger should have “professionally prepared such a summit; neither the date nor the format and content were agreed with us,” said the CDU politician “Table.Media”.

A joint task of education suggested by the Federal Minister is conceivable, explained Lorz. “Then we’re talking about a big program – far more than Mr. Lindner’s education billion.”

Federal Minister of Finance and FDP leader Christian Lindner had promised such an investment at the FDP party conference – but called for savings elsewhere. Party friend Stark-Watzinger wants to use the money to finance her “Starting Chances Program” for 4,000 schools in hot spots. The countries should invest the same amount.

Lorz referred to the total annual expenditure of the federal states of 117 billion a year – the FDP education billion is less than one percent. “I don’t need a federal-state commission for that,” said the Hessian. SPD leader Saskia Esken had previously reiterated her call for a 100 billion euro special fund for education and called for the start opportunities program to start this year instead of in 2024.

Educational associations call for a summit with Chancellor Scholz

The Confederation of German Trade Unions (DGB) and the Confederation of German Employers’ Associations (BDA) also called for “significantly higher investments in the education sector” in a joint statement on the occasion of the summit. The German Chamber of Industry and Commerce (DIHK), on the other hand, warns against “simply spending more money”. This is shown by the digital pact school, which does not lack money but intelligent control, said DIHK Vice Achim Dercks to the Handelsblatt.

student at the computer

The federal government wants to promote digitization through the digital pact for schools.

(Photo: dpa)

Even if the Union were to take part, the education summit would be far too powerless, criticizes a broad alliance of 54 education associations and foundations. In view of the size of the problems, it is “high time that Chancellor Olaf Scholz and the heads of government of the federal states convene a real national education summit” to push a reform process, demands the alliance, which includes almost all important education organizations.

In unison, business, trade unions, foundations and associations demand that the federal and state governments finally work together on content, as the Federal Minister preaches, even if this is in contrast to the educational sovereignty of the states under federalism.

What is needed is “a common strategy along the entire education chain involving the social partners – across legislatures,” warn the BDA and DGB.

DIHK wants nationwide educational standards

DIHK Deputy General Manager Dercks said that companies rely on young people with sufficient qualifications leaving general schools. “In view of the shortage of skilled workers, the common goal ‘No one must be lost’ applies more than ever today.”

>> Read here: 50,000 students a year without a school leaving certificate – and no improvement in sight

Therefore, the politicians “shouldn’t just hold meetings, they should initiate real changes”. It is crucial for the companies that school ministers agree on binding educational standards nationwide and implement them. “This is the only way companies can realistically assess the qualifications and performance of their future trainees,” said Dercks.

At the summit, the Stifterverband, the business organization for science, presented recommendations for improving teacher training and attracting more young people and lateral entrants. Side entrants have neither studied teaching nor completed a traineeship, the conditions and opportunities vary depending on the federal state.

The background is the dramatic shortage of teachers, which, according to a report for the Conference of Ministers of Education, will burden the system for up to 20 years. For this purpose, lateral entrants would have to be integrated not only when necessary, but regularly, according to nationwide rules. In addition, digital education must finally become a central part of teacher training.

More: Four-day week or overtime? How politicians want to fight the gigantic shortage of teachers

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