The closed-door talks on a broad consensus on school policy are expected to be concluded in March. That said the moderator appointed by the state, the former Federal Research Minister Johanna Wanka (CDU). “We are not finished yet, there is still a lot to discuss.”
She is confident, but “not yet sure” that there will be a result. Around 20 institutions are involved in the talks, including trade unions, parent and student representatives. The aim of the round is to find solutions to the most important problems facing schools. The main focus is on the shortage of teachers, which has been worsening for years, but also on investments, content of the lessons or digitization.
Wanka has already completed four rounds of talks with those involved, Prime Minister Reiner Haseloff (CDU) also took part in two of them. “The positions are partly diametrically opposed,” said Wanka. “But I am pleasantly surprised by the atmosphere of the conversation.”
Other participants in the round also confirm the latter – but insist on tangible results. “There have been talks with all possible participants in school politics for years,” says one of them. “What we need are facts that can be felt at the grassroots level.” Those involved do not yet want to comment on concrete results. “We have decided that we will not publish any interim results because everything is interrelated,” says Wanka. “In the end we want to agree on a package that cannot simply be wiped away after the election.”
The 69-year-old has lived in the Stendal district since she left the federal government. As a “school peace” moderator, she works on a voluntary basis. Prime Minister Haseloff convened the body in response to a failed referendum. Its initiators wanted to bring more teachers into the classes via a statutory supervision key. (mz)
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