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Holter rows back: No cuts in social studies

What is written in the school regulations usually has a very specific impact on the everyday lives of pupils: Which subjects they have to take or can choose, for example. A reform is now pending. Some of the previously planned changes have now been scrapped - but others are to come.

Helmut Holter (Die Linke), Thuringia's Minister of Education, arrives at the session of the....aussiedlerbote.de
Helmut Holter (Die Linke), Thuringia's Minister of Education, arrives at the session of the Thuringian state parliament in Erfurt. Photo.aussiedlerbote.de

Education policy - Holter rows back: No cuts in social studies

Thuringia's Education Minister Helmut Holter (Left Party) has partially corrected plans for new school regulations with possible cuts in social studies lessons. The previously planned pre-selection of subjects for the tenth grade will not take place, as a spokesperson announced on request. The topic had caused controversy this year.

No preselection for tenth grade

The plans for new school regulations originally envisaged that pupils would choose certain subjects in which they wanted to deepen their knowledge before tenth grade. Depending on the selection, this could have led to a reduction in the subject of social studies, which was met with fierce criticism. Now the pre-selection has been scrapped, said the spokesperson. The regulation was intended to ease the burden on pupils, as they would have had to provide fewer certificates if they had fewer subjects. This relief is now no longer applicable.

However, the ministry intends to maintain other changes to the school regulations: there are still plans to introduce a new subject, media education/computer science. The merging of physics and astronomy, which had also been criticized, is also to remain in place. However, the ministry insists on this in order to avoid an increase in subjects due to the new subject of media education. According to the information, 18 school subjects are taught in Thuringia.

Grammar school pupils can opt out of second foreign language

The new school regulations also stipulate that regular pupils can choose a second foreign language from year six onwards. This is also the case at the grammar school. This should make it easier for regular pupils to switch. At grammar schools, however, the obligation to take a second foreign language until the Abitur is to be abolished. The Ministry of Education refers to the rules of the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs (KMK). Students who have completed the number of lessons required by the KMK by the tenth grade will be able to opt out of the second foreign language. This is intended to make it easier for pupils from other federal states to move to Thuringia.

The new school regulations are to be published in spring 2024 and then come into force for the 2024/2025 school year. No state parliament resolution is required for the new school regulations; Holter only needs to consult with the Education Committee. In case of doubt, he can also enforce the regulations if concerns are raised there.

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Source: www.stern.de

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