Hamburg Minister Continues Discussions for Enhanced Digital Agreement - Environmental Minister in Charge
Minister Julia Willie Hamburg Advocates for Advanced Digital Pact in Schools
In an interview with the Oldenburg "Nordwest-Zeitung," Education Minister Julia Willie Hamburg in Lower Saxony has called for the federal government to advance the Digital Pact II, a plan aimed at enhancing digital infrastructure in schools. Although most schools in Lower Saxony are connected to broadband networks, many are still lagging behind in digital development.
The Minister's appeal comes as approximately 3,000 applications from the initial Digital Pact I program remain pending in Lower Saxony. The relaunch of the program could provide an annual funding volume of one billion euros for the region.
As for funding allocations, Lower Saxony is planning to introduce a social index to determine additional resources or personnel based on social criteria during this legislative period. Such a system is currently only used in the "Start-Chance" program.
Addressing anti-Semitism in schools, Minister Hamburg has discussed a joint award of a school seal with the Protestant Church, a practice currently handled by the Church alone. She also expressed openness to naming schools after Holocaust victims, though final decisions will be made locally. For instance, a "Margit Friedlaender School" could symbolize unity and remembrance.
While education associations have proposed nationwide uniform summer holidays, Minister Hamburg does not support the idea, citing potential traffic chaos and logistical challenges.
An upcoming PISA study is expected in early summer, and the Minister anticipates that the measures implemented in recent years will have long-term, positive effects on educational outcomes.
Although specifics about Digital Pact II's objectives and status in Lower Saxony are currently scarce, it is part of a broader initiative to improve digital literacy and access to technology in German schools, ensuring students are prepared for the digital age. For more detailed information, it is advisable to consult local educational authorities or official government resources.
- Minister Julia Willie Hamburg advocates for acquiring vocational training programs in the context of Digital Pact II to enhance digital literacy and job readiness among students in EC countries, understanding that education-and-self-development and policy-and-legislation have crucial roles in this process.
- To enrich the digitally poor schools and foster a comprehensive transformation in digital education, the Minister encourages the federal government to prioritize vocational training in the Digital Pact II, particularly in areas related to general-news, politics, and technology, as they are essential for a well-informed society.
