Germany Education: The Traffic Light Plan for Future School System Funding
The ongoing dispute between the federal government and the states over who should contribute how much to the “Digital Pact 2.0” to make schools future-proof has been raging for months. Now, the Ministry of Education has presented its concept. While “final support” is promised, the states are also urged to take “sole responsibility.”
For months, the federal government and states have been negotiating the continuation of the Digital Pact, narrowly avoiding a breakdown in the discussions at the Kultusministerkonferenz in March. Federal Education Minister Bettina Stark-Watzinger (FDP) has now presented the states with a concept for the future design of the education system. The draft for a “Comprehensive Agreement between the Federal Government and the States on Digital Pact 2.0”, which is available to WELT AM SONNTAG, is likely to lead to heated discussions. Unlike the Digital Pact School, which saw the federal government funding the expansion of digital infrastructure from 2019 to 2024 with five billion euros, the states are expected to contribute for the continuation from 2025 to 2030. “The federal government will contribute 50 percent in funding, and the states will also contribute 50 percent of the total public financing share of eligible costs of investments in a state,” the agreement states.
The provision of the funding share by the states should not come at the expense of municipal budgets. Further continuation beyond 2030 is ruled out. The financial support is considered a “final assistance” from the federal government. Therefore, it is solely the responsibility of the states to ensure sustainable financing of the digital transformation in schools, according to the document. The total amount for the Digital Pact is still indicated with an “X” in the draft. Overall, the aim is for a similar total volume as with the first Digital Pact, around five billion euros. Three key areas are planned: further investment in digital infrastructure, qualification of teachers, and a sustainable strategy for digitalization of education in the permanent responsibility of the states. Demands for mandatory teacher training
Stark-Watzinger has consistently emphasized during the negotiations that the federal government insists on not only continuing to invest in the expansion of technical infrastructure but also on advancing teacher training. “A contemporary IT infrastructure is necessary but not an end in itself,” the draft states. “Digitalization in education also requires contemporary and future-oriented digital and particularly digitally supported teaching, as well as appropriate school development.” Digital competencies and the qualification of teachers and school leaders are “essential factors for the success of the digital transformation in the school sector”. Specifically, a training obligation of 30 hours per year is demanded. Between 2025 and 2030, the federal government and states are expected to invest 500 million euros each in a “Research and Transfer Initiative for Digital Teaching and Learning.” Education should be included in curricula. In addition, there is a need for agreement on “ambitious, mandatory common standards for digital and media competences among all states.”
