- Lack of clarification persists regarding the fresh digital agreement
The ongoing argument between the federal government and the states regarding funding for the further advancement of digitalization in schools is still a hot topic. "Regrettably, the latest federal budget draft fails to offer any insights into what the subsequent Digital Agreement will entail," commented Christine Streichert-Clivot, President of the Standing Conference of Ministers of Education (KMK) and Minister of Education in Saarland, during a meeting in Saarbrücken on Wednesday. The states are currently growing increasingly restless. A special session of the KMK has been scheduled for September 2nd to also discuss the negotiation of a new Digital Agreement with the federal government.
The states have been urging the federal government to provide clarity on the financing of the planned overhaul of the multi-billion-dollar funding program for several months now. According to the KMK, the federal government should contribute at least 1.3 billion euros annually from 2025 to support and enhance the digital infrastructure.
In the original Digital Agreement, which expired in May, the federal government covered 90% of the costs associated with digitalization in schools, such as laptops and digital chalkboards. The remaining 10% was the responsibility of the states and municipalities. The federal government now aspires to a 50/50 funding arrangement, which Streichert-Clivot contends would place an undue burden on the states.
"We are eager to see a definite resolution by the new year, specifically by January 2025, to initiate this process," said Streichert-Clivot. "I believe that the federal government cannot afford to back out of this program." Digitalization signifies "the entire everyday reality for all individuals" and must be sustainable in the states.
Nevertheless, no final decision has been made yet. Previous discussions and exchanges with Federal Minister Bettina Stark-Watzinger (FDP) have not resulted in the states being able to give the green light concerning the financial situation of Digital Agreement 2.0, Streichert-Clivot stated.
The uncertainty surrounding the funding situation is causing delays in crucial decisions in the states. "I am convinced that there is no more sustainable program capable of reinforcing existing structures in the states," the minister added. The federal government provided 6.5 billion euros in funding for the first Digital Agreement from 2019.
The states are actually looking forward to a special session of the Conference of Ministers of Education in September, to discuss and negotiate the new Digital Agreement with the federal government. Streichert-Clivot, the KMK president, mentioned that a clear and definitive resolution by January 2025 is needed to initiate the digitalization process.
