Schopper: We have enough staff for language training

Stuttgart (dpa/lsw) – This is one of the big projects of the green-black state government Baden-Württemberg and, according to Education Minister Theresa Schopper, that will not fail due to a lack of skilled workers: the language support package for day care centers and primary schools. “We have worked this out and assume that we can implement it,” the Green politician told the German News Agency in Stuttgart. But getting skilled workers will not be a walk in the park, said the minister.

To implement the package, Schopper relies on teachers and day care professionals who are to receive further training in language support. In addition, professional groups will be used that have not been used much before in the education system, such as early childhood educators, says Schopper.

The minister is confident that enough teachers will be available to undertake language support locally before the project is finished. “Given the large number of study places we have now built and that more and more people are coming to schools, and given the expected decline in the number of children in primary school, I think that we will then have enough teachers able to provide language support,” said Schopper. The concept provides for four additional hours of support per week. “One teacher could also take on several groups.”

Language training before starting school

Starting next school year, the state will participate in the multi-million dollar package for language training at day care centers and elementary schools. Children who still have language problems at the school entrance exam should receive intensive language training four hours a week before starting school.

If the children do not yet have enough German to go to primary school, they will receive support in so-called junior classes from the 2026/2027 school year. It is planned to create 832 places across the country by the school year 2028/2029. Then, depending on the state government, language support will also be necessary. Shortly before the summer holidays, the coalition introduced a new school law to create a legal basis for it.

With these measures, the state government is dealing with a significant decline in performance among primary school pupils. Educational studies have shown in recent years that performance in many key subjects is declining. In 2022, this was shown by the poor test results among fourth graders in mathematics and German: almost one in five children did not meet the minimum standards in both subjects. And the proportion of strong students achieving or exceeding standard in German and mathematics also fell.