No More Compact Ski Courses at Schools in Saxony-Anhalt: The Inside Scoop
Ski lessons to be discontinued in schools face backlash from SPD and Young Union
Say goodbye to ski lessons at schools in Saxony-Anhalt! The Ministry of Education recently announced that they won't be booking any more ski courses due to ridiculously steep costs and participation issues for the kiddos.
The Nitty-Gritty
As of right now, no fresh ski courses can be snagged for schools in Saxony-Anhalt. The decision was confirmed on a Wednesday, with existing bookings undergoing a case-by-case review.
On the Record
According to a report by MZ, schools in Saxony-Anhalt cannot offer ski courses. The ministry explained the decision based on high travel costs for teaching staff and participation challenges for students.
Too Much Cost, Too Much Hassle
Minister of Education Eva Feußner (CDU) told our very own SACHSEN-ANHALT that the currently scheduled compact ski courses can still run as planned. However, no new courses can be arranged. Feußner elaborated on the resource-intensive nature of ski courses, often leading to lesson cancellations. She also pointed out possible social disadvantages, with only a select few students able to afford the courses.
A Different Approach
First reported by the "Mitteldeutsche Zeitung," the Ministry of Education opted for this move due to financial, personnel, and organizational reasons. The goal is for schools to concentrate on essential lessons and minimize the number of lessons that need to be scrapped.
On the Margins: Teacher Shortage in Saxony-Anhalt
Even during the 2024/25 school year, teacher shortages will still be a thing in Saxony-Anhalt. Lateral entrants have been promised good chances, and there are more ideas brewing post an education summit.
Last year, the state dished out 200,000 euros to teachers' travel expenses. This money will be redirected to better qualifying lateral entrants in the future. The aim is to have schools zero in on core lessons and minimize cancellations.
Furthermore, parents with lighter wallets often can't shell out the required 500 euros for ski courses, making it tougher for their kids to participate socially.
Alternatives to Expensive Ski Courses
Ski courses haven't been banned outright. They can still be organized independently during school breaks. School trips and hikes that incorporate skiing are still on the table.
The ministry is also working on promoting cooperation between schools and sports clubs and providing funds for such partnerships. They're pushing alternatives to expensive ski compact courses, notably.
Criticism and Reaction
The Young Union slammed the decision, stating that ski courses are the first and only winter sports exposure for many young people in Saxony-Anhalt, acting as an essential addition to regular school sports. They advocate for schools to make decisions on ski courses in consultation with parents, students, and teaching staff.
The coalition partner SPD called for the decree to be yanked, stating the intervention was undiscussed, not financially justified, and based on false assumptions.
Criticism also came from CDU state parliamentarian Carsten Borchert, who believes that lesson plans should dictate subject areas for teachers to cover, rather than the Ministry making content decisions.
The Left politician Thomas Lippmann deemed the situation a chaotic mess that seemed to stem from panic. He emphasized how devastating it would be if ski compact courses couldn't operate anymore.
On the Bright Side
While the ministry hasn't given specific details about the promised alternatives for ski compact courses, you can try reaching out to them for updates. In the meantime, perhaps explore other accessible and affordable outdoor activities or sports that might fill that ski-shaped void.
Remember, teachers are a scarce resource in Saxony-Anhalt due to various reasons, so minimizing cancellations is important. Funds will also be allocated to improve the qualifications of lateral entrants in the area.
The decision by the Ministry of Education to halt ski courses in schools due to financial, personnel, and organizational challenges has sparked criticism from various political parties, with concerns raised about the impact on students' access to winter sports and potential social disadvantages. The ministry, on the other hand, is pushing for alternatives to expensive ski courses, such as school partnerships with sports clubs, and the promotion of affordable outdoor activities.
