Who is actually supposed to read all these election manifestos, which are sometimes confusing, in order to make an informed decision? We have taken a look at the manifestos and seen what the parties are actually planning to do with regard to their ideas on school education. It is not possible to analyze everything here, so we have concentrated on a few points that have been discussed for a long time. The order in which the party manifestos are listed for each point is based first on whether they are involved in government, then this is random.
Readability of the programs
Die CDU states in the section “Because it is about our education – b.) School – For demanding education” on 3 pages (18 – 21) of its Government programclearly structured with destinations and directions, present their topics. Easy to read.
Die SPD also calls it Government program and on pages 7 – 37 there is a lot to read about the topic, but nothing about the individual topics. In the section “Social Policy for Saxony from A to Z” on pages 44/45 you will find the topic of education. The structure is based on keywords from literacy to cooperation and includes early childhood and school education. It seems a bit unsystematic.
Alliance 90 / The Greens have a election programfrom page 34 to 41 it is about school. Unfortunately, the whole thing is in text form, important points in the text blocks are marked in color. Individual focal points are difficult to find.
The left has in her election program a clear structure, under “III Education; School” you will also find text with highlights on about 4 pages. If you are looking for something that is not highlighted, you have to read the whole thing.
At the FDP The point in the election manifesto is called “We don’t learn for school, but for life” and runs from page 41 to 50. The structure is based on demands that are not always understandable. Anyone looking for individual focal points that are not clearly stated in these demands will have to search.
The Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW) has in election program Education from page 29. The goals are defined from page 32, again very text-heavy. If you’re looking, you have to read.
Die AfD has a Government programin which education is dealt with in one paragraph, and an election manifesto in which the topic comprises 6 points. If you subtract the points “reversing the Bologna reform” and “terminating the media treaty”, only 4 remain. There is nothing more to read.
Let us now turn to the points examined in the programs.
1. Recruitment – training and further education of teaching staff
All parties, with the exception of the AfDhave this point in the program, with different ways.
Die CDU describes the recruitment of teachers as its main task, wants to continue to give teachers civil service status, performance-based promotion and goal-oriented training for teacher trainees.
For the SPD The focus is on the training offensive in early childhood and school education and other lateral entrants and career changers as well as securing their pedagogical qualifications.
ePaper 127. Cover: LZ
Alliance 90 / The Greens want a transparent analysis of teacher requirements and the necessary recruitment of staff, modern part-time arrangements, attractive jobs, class teacher hours, the expansion of assistance systems and multi-professional teams in schools. Training is to be modernized with a teacher training law, support and mentoring for students and young professionals is to be expanded and a wide range of continuing education and training measures is to be created.
The left wants to reduce the workload, including reducing the standard number of hours, limiting additional hours for class teachers and the maximum size of classes (class dividers). The aim is to create incentives for teacher training, restructure teacher training with examination and workload for teacher training students and integrate practical phases into the teacher training course at an early stage.
Die FDP wants to implement short-term measures such as introducing learning assistants, a digitization task force and sending civil servants, as well as withdrawing teachers from the administration. Relieving teachers of administrative or IT tasks, integrating lateral entrants and reforming the State Office for Schools and Business, civil service status, dual study programs and a general reform of training are also mentioned.
The BSW aims to relieve teachers of tasks outside the classroom, create multi-professional teams and reform the training of teaching staff: dual training/dual study with practical relevance.
2. Education system, longer joint learning, community school
The CDU and AfD expressly want to retain Saxony’s three-tier school system because it has proven itself. The FDP has made no statement on this.
SPD, Green and Linke demand community schools, the BSW has set longer, collaborative learning as a long-term goal.
3. Inclusion
CDU and AfD want to maintain the system of special schools, the FDP has no agenda item on this.
Die SPD wants to promote inclusive measures in schools that Green want successful school inclusion and recognition of the secondary school certificate upon successful completion of special schools and the Linke wants to overcome the separation of school types, dismantle the special needs school system and enable the admission of children with disabilities into regular schools.
4. Lesson planning, curricula, systematic teaching
Die CDU has, deviating from the Strategy paper from your education ministerno point on the topic of curricula. The importance of good primary school education is emphasized, especially the teaching of basic skills such as reading, writing and arithmetic.
Die SPD wants a reform of the timetable and revision of the curricula, the Green advocate streamlined, competency-based curricula and a strengthening of basic skills. Linke also wants framework curricula and review of curricula and timetables. Not to cling rigidly to old procedures and teaching methods, demands the FDP and wants to fundamentally redesign curricula. BSW does not say anything directly about it, but wants to focus on the core competencies of reading, writing and arithmetic in primary schools.
Die AfD does not comment.
Conclusion: There are probably many more topics that could be compared. We only wanted to compare a few positions here as examples. In general, it can be said that a comparison is difficult due to the structure and scope of the individual election manifestos. The question remains: for which clientele are they written?
“State elections 2024: What do the parties’ election manifestos say about education?” first appeared in the ePaper LZ 127 of the LEIPZIGER ZEITUNG, which was completed on July 26, 2024.
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