training
50 schools are starting early with computer science as a compulsory subject
– Students work on computers in a classroom at an elementary school. Photo: Friso Gentsch/dpa/Symbolbild © dpa-infocom GmbH
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Dealing with computers, data and automated processes should become an integral part of school lessons. The introduction of the compulsory subject computer science is now imminent in the first schools in Lower Saxony.
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In the summer of 2023, computer science will be a compulsory subject in Lower Saxony’s schools – however, some schools will start with it in the coming school year. As the Ministry of Education in Hanover announced on request, 49 schools will be given the opportunity to introduce compulsory classes after the summer holidays. These schools can decide for themselves whether they want to offer classes in grades 9 or 10 first, or both at the same time. The prerequisite was that the schools already had enough suitable computer science teachers.
The compulsory subject is to be introduced nationwide in 2023/24 for year 10 and in the following school year for year 9. One lesson per week is planned.
According to the ministry, a total of 55 schools are taking part in the trial phase for the two years, six of which will not start until 2023/24. 65 schools applied. However, that would have exceeded the available teacher hours, according to a response from the state government to a request from the FDP in the state parliament.
Minister of Education Grant Hendrik Tonne (SPD) had announced the introduction of the compulsory subject in 2020. It was necessary because computer science was a core competence of the future, he said at the time.
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