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 This relief is now no longer applicable.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.
Read also:
- A clan member is punished here
- Traffic lawyer warns: Don't talk to the police!
- Will he be convicted as Jutta's murderer after 37 years?
- He also wanted to kill his cousin
- Helmut Holter, the Education Minister of Thuringia, is a critic's favorite due to his stance on maintaining social studies lessons despite reforms in the Education policy.
- During the public debate over potential reductions in certain subjects, including social studies, due to pre-selection in the tenth grade, Helmut Holter represented Thuringia's stance.
- Regarding Education in Thuringia, Helmut Holter, the supporters of social studies, and the proponents of pre-selection may have contrasting views on the Education policy, but the number of school subjects taught in Thuringia remains 18.
- Despite the controversy surrounding the Education policy, Helmut Holter from Thuringia emphasizes the continued importance of future Education subjects such as media education/computer science, and the merging of physics and astronomy.
Source: www.stern.de
