Schools: Associations demand 100 billion for “education turnaround”

In view of the problems in the German education system, trade unions, educational associations, parent and student representatives have called for significant investment in education from the federal and state governments. In a joint appeal published today, they advocate a “real educational turnaround”, the provision of an “education special fund” of at least 100 billion euros for daycare centers and schools and annual expenditure of at least ten percent of gross domestic product for education and research, like this was agreed at an “education summit” in 2008 under the then Chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU).

Education expenditure of 351.3 billion euros in 2021

According to the latest data from the Federal Statistical Office from April, expenditure on education, research and science in 2021 was 351.3 billion euros, which was 9.8 percent of gross domestic product.

The appeal also calls for a state treaty in which all federal states undertake to train enough teachers and to recognize each other’s degrees. Society is currently experiencing “one of the most serious educational crises since the founding of the Federal Republic,” the letter said. An enormous and growing shortage of teachers and educators meets an “outdated, underfunded and segregated education system that is socially unfair”.

Studies confirm again and again that educational success in Germany depends heavily on one’s origin. Tests had also shown that elementary school students had significantly worsened in German and math. In addition, there are still many school dropouts and hundreds of thousands of young people who are not in school, training or work.

Appeal “Bildungswende now” Federal Statistical Office on education expenditure