With hopes of making a 'big leap' in digital learning, German Education Minister Johanna Wanka plans to invest 5 billion euros in 40,000 schools. Social Democrats and Greens have welcomed the so-called 'Digital Pact.'
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Presenting her plan for cooperation with Germany's 16 states in Berlin on Wednesday, Education Minister and Christian Democrat (CDU) Johanna Wanka said the 5-billion-euro ($5.5-billion) program would provide "primary schools, advanced general schools and vocational schools with digital equipment such as broadband connection, Wi-Fi and equipment."
In return, the states actually responsible for school policy should "enforce the corresponding educational concepts, the training of teachers and common technical standards," Wanka said.
The foundation for such an agreement lies in Article 91c of the German Basic Law, which forbids any collaboration between Berlin and the individual state governments in the school sector.
"The passage allows cooperation, however, in information technology," Wanka said, meaning that a change in legislation wouldn't be necessary to enable the "Digital Pact."
"Good education in the 21st century includes IT knowledge and confident handling of technology and the risks of digital communication, as well as learning through the many new possibilities of digital media," Wanka said, adding that Germany must "take advantage of these opportunities more than before."
"We must make a big leap forward in digital education," the Education Minister added.
"The pedagogy is central to the success of digital education - digital technology must serve good education, not vice versa."
Positive welcome
Aside from some amendment, the reaction from state ministries of education and cultural affairs lead by Social Democrats and Greens was largely positive.
Hamburger Education Senator Ties Rabe (SPD) called for "a long-term and sustainable strategy" both at federal and state level.
"It's good that there's finally some movement on this important matter. But this shouldn't just be a flash in the pan, otherwise, in ten years time there'll be outdated and unused computers left lying around."
Green Party politician and School Minister for the western German state of North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) Sylvia Löhrmann said: "It's good that the government recognizes it's responsibility for education."
"I see the offer as a first step, which will hopefully be followed by others - for example federal investment in full-time schooling, in school social services or in multi-professional teams for inclusion."
How Germany celebrates the first day of school
Some kids are thrilled, others dread it, but they can't avoid it. The first day of school in Germany is full of rituals - some of which date back hundreds of years.
Image: picture alliance/dpa/P. Steffen
A cone full of presents
The most important part of every German child's first day of school is the "Schultüte," or school cone. Apparently the thought of attending school every day for the next 12-13 years has to be "sweetened" with candy and presents - a tradition that dates back to the early 19th century. Parents fill the cones, either homemade or purchased, with treats, school supplies and small gifts.
Image: imago/Kickner
The start of a new phase
Most children in Germany are six years old when they start school in August or September, depending on which state they live in. The majority of them have already spent a few years in daycare or pre-school, which is not part of the public school and is less pedagogical in nature. For kids in Germany - and often their parents too -, first grade is a big adjustment.
Image: Getty Images/AFP/S.Khan
Just the right backpack
Ahead of the first day of school, parents buy their new first-grader a backpack, known as a "Schulranzen." They're often made with a square frame to make sure papers don't get bent and snacks don't get squished. Later, their jeans brand will be important, but for first-graders, it's crucial to have the trendiest design on their backpack. Star Wars and Superman never go out of style.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa
The school essentials
After they get their square backpack, it will need to be filled with pens, pencils, rulers and folders ahead of the first day. In Germany, particularly younger children often don't have lunch at school. Instead, they have a mid-morning snack time and go home or to daycare for a late lunch. To transport their "Pausenbrot," or "break bread," they'll need an appropriate box.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/F. Gentsch
A day to remember
Many kids around the world pose for a first day of school photo. In Germany, they hold up their unopened "Schultüte" - which is often larger than they are - along with a sign reading something like "My first day of school." For many children, it's not the highlight of their big day.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/R. Hirschberger
Send-off with a blessing
The first day of school in Germany doesn't start with school - but with a special ceremony. Parents, relatives and godparents are invited to join in. An ecumenical church service is usually included in the tradition, giving the young pupils a special blessing as they mark a right of passage and embark on their educational journey. Some schools offer an interreligious ceremony for Muslim pupils.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa
Guidance from those with experience
During the ceremony, older children or teachers often give a small performance and explain to the newcomers how school works. In some schools, first-graders are assigned a buddy from third or fourth grade to show them the ropes.
Image: picture alliance/dpa/P. Steffen
Make yourself at home
A tour of the school is included in the introductory festivities and first-graders are shown their new classrooms, which are labeled "1A," "1B," "1C," etc. depending on the size of the school. This chalkboard reads, "Welcome, class 1A."
Image: picture alliance/dpa/G. Kirchner
The family get-together
After the ceremony at school, families organize their own celebrations. Grandparents, relatives, godparents and friends are invited for a meal or cake to see the youngster of honor off into the brave new world of education. The first-graders themselves probably get annoyed at all the head patting and cheek squeezing - but they usually get a few presents to make up for it.
Image: picture alliance/R. Goldmann
The second day of school
After the ceremony is over, the cake has been eaten and the cone of goodies unpacked, the first day of school draws to a close. The next day, the first-graders have to find their new classrooms for their first lesson. Elementary school in Germany includes grades one to four. After that, pupils move on to one of three different levels of secondary schools, depending on their academic performance.
What makes Germany's success all the more surprising is that the country actually spends less (4.2 percent of GDP) than the OECD average on education, which stands at 4.8 percent of GDP. The slight decrease in spending has not resulted in any downturn of graduate rates, however.