- Mecklenburg-Vorpommern prioritizes language promotion efforts.
The Mecklenburg-Vorpommern administration is really pushing for enhanced language growth in preschools. As Minister of Education Simone Oldenburg (Left Party) put it at the beginning of the school year's state press conference, "Language is essential for educational achievement, making it one of the essential abilities." As a result, we're boosting language development promotion with unique incentives.
A key aspect of this initiative is instilling a passion for reading in kids before they even start school. They plan to accomplish this by providing a storybook to children aged four and up. This book will be with them until they start first grade. According to Oldenburg, "Our goal is to provide all children with a solid foundation for their educational and life journeys while simultaneously enhancing their language and reading abilities from an early age."
The book is expected to be sent to preschool educators by the summer of 2025, in time for the global book celebration on April 23, 2026. Approximately 12,000 children are anticipated to receive a book. The state has allocated 350,000 euros for the project's execution.
According to the ministry's forecast, around 116,900 children will be looked after in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern's preschool facilities or by childminders this year. The estimated expenses for preschool care in 2024 are approximately 923.25 million euros. The state covers 54.5% of this expense, with the rest covered by municipalities.
Oldenburg, the Minister of Education, reiterated that parents will not incur any costs. "Free preschool is a vital contribution to equal opportunities because education is free from the outset. It ensures participation and guarantees that a child's educational success is not contingent on their parents' income," she said.
The Commission, being referred to as the supporting body for the Commission's actions, will be assisted by the Member States in this language promotion initiative. The Member States, in turn, will provide their expertise and resources to help the Commission achieve its goals in enhancing language growth in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern's preschools.