Digitalization in schools: Germany is (slowly) emerging from the Cretaceous period

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Learning digitally: not yet a given in all classrooms (symbolic image)

Photo: Julian Stratenschulte / dpa

Daylight projector instead of smart board, stable network: none. Germany's teachers repeatedly complain about the inadequate digital equipment in their schools. Statistically speaking, there is at least progress to be made: things are progressing, albeit very slowly, that is the bottom line of a Forsa survey of more than 1,300 school principals commissioned by the Association for Education and Upbringing (VBE), which will be presented this Monday.

90 percent of schools now have class sets of laptops, tablet PCs or smartphones available to at least some of the students. A significant improvement compared to the Corona year 2020: At that time only 37 percent of the schools did.

“Unworthy for the year 2024”

Nevertheless, from VBE boss Gerhard Brandt's point of view, the situation is anything but satisfactory: "The discrepancy between expectations and reality is blatant." While scientific recommendations aimed at training in the use of artificial intelligence from secondary school onwards, one in ten school management is responsible without any equipment, criticizes Brandt.

The teacher then has to make the best possible use of the devices that the students bring with them. That is “an imposition, ineffective, error-prone and unworthy of the year 2024.”

A ray of hope from the teachers' association's perspective: More than half of the school management estimates that (almost) all teachers in their school have taken part in at least one high-quality training course on the use of digital devices in class. This means that the proportion has increased further compared to the previous year.

According to the survey, 61 percent of school administrators assume that teachers who have recently completed their teaching degree are (very) well prepared for the use of digital devices in class. Compared to previous surveys, school management now rates the digital skills of their young colleagues significantly higher.

The digitization of Germany's schools had been extremely slow for a long time; also because several years passed before the federal and state governments agreed on a funding program worth billions. The so-called digital pact only came into force in May 2019. With 5.5 billion euros from the federal and state governments, schools should become more digital and receive broadband connections and devices. During the pandemic, the pact was increased again by 1.5 billion euros.

But school management and municipalities complained about bureaucratic hurdles. Initially only a fraction of the funds were withdrawn. The funds are now flowing much better. According to the Forsa survey, 90 percent of school management have already submitted an application to support their school with funds from the digital pact. 78 percent of these schools say they have already received money.

The digitization of schools is not yet complete. Three quarters of the school principals who have submitted an application to support their school with funds from the digital pact say that the funds received are not yet sufficient for the digital infrastructure and equipment situation. They would need further resources. Whether and when this could come is unclear given the current political situation.

City Council warns against “school digitization based on budget situation”

The current school digital pact expires in May of this year. The traffic light coalition had promised a new edition, Digital Pact 2.0, in its coalition agreement, but no money was planned for this in the budget for 2024 - also due to the pressure to save money.

Federal Education Minister Bettina Stark-Watzinger (FDP) confirms that the funding should come in 2025; but it is unclear to what extent. The issue has been causing disputes between the federal and state governments for months. Cities and municipalities are also very concerned about the topic as school authorities.

Helmut Dedy, General Manager of the German Association of Cities, explained at Table-Media: The more than half-year funding gap in 2024 that is becoming apparent “is a real problem for us nationwide. If a device breaks during this time, we will not be able to easily replace it. If an IT administrator's employment contract needs to be extended, we won't necessarily be able to do that.«

If there were no second digital pact, it would have to

Dedy demanded that state school funding take effect. However, they do not always feel obliged to pay for digitization costs. This would also mean that the different financial resources of the cities would determine the scope for education. Dedy warned: “That would be education and school digitalization based on budget.”

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