The Education Crisis: A Call for More Attention and Action

“The education crisis needs more public attention,” says Ludger Wößmann. He is the Head of the ifo Center for Educational Economicsk. “Far too little is happening to compensate for the learning deficits caused by the school closures and the lack of digital teaching in the corona pandemic.” The ifo center, which Wößmann heads, is part of the ifo Institute for Economic Research. Accordingly, Wößmann’s view of education is an economic one. The internationally renowned researcher examines how educational equity and more targeted support for schoolchildren lead to a growing economy in the long term.

When it comes to current educational policy issues such as all-day schools and inclusion, Ludger Wößmann speaks of “honourable goals” – but he personally would not have called for these reforms. The education economist maintains a clear focus the teaching of basic skills in German, mathematics and natural sciences and the targeted promotion of children from disadvantaged households is more important. Both economically and for individuals. “The unemployment rate in Germany is currently low,” says the professor. “In the group without a professional qualification, however, it is around 20 percent.” When Wößmann takes part in public discourse, he demands it concrete measures to improve the chances of graduation for lower-income children.