Skipping the Slopes: Sachsen-Anhalt Ditches Ski Lessons from Physical Education Curriculum
Ski training discontinued in the curriculum of physical education in Saxony-Anhalt. - Suspending Skiing Instructions as Part of Athletic Training in Saxony-Anhalt
Let's dive into Sachsen-Anhalt's decision to nix ski courses as a potential part of physical education. Here's the lowdown: a representative from the Ministry of Education in Magdeburg shared that this move stems from financial, personnel, and organizational considerations. The reason being, ski courses are costly, logistically demanding, and can limit student participation. Decisions concerning scheduled trips will be made on a case-by-case basis. Previously, the "Mitteldeutsche Zeitung" and the "Magdeburger Volksstimme" reported on this issue.
The rep pointed out the travel costs associated with these service trips, which accounted for nearly half of the total budget for service trips last year, amounting to around 201,000 euros. With a total budget of 450,000 euros, other expenses like travel costs for substitute teachers, internship supervision, and qualifying lateral-entry teachers, also need to be covered.
Left-Leaning Parliamentary Group Calls Bullshit
Thomas Lippmann, education policy spokesperson for the Left, views the high costs of ski courses as nothing but a pretext. He argued that the budget for service trips for 2025 and 2026 has been bumped up to 700,000 euros each. Previously, only 456,000 euros were allocated, enough to fund all the ski courses so far. Feußner, the ministry, keeps the public in the dark about why they're slashing ski courses and what they plan to do with the extra funds.
Ski courses not off the table entirely
The ministry spokesperson stressed the importance of schools focusing on core teaching, as teacher shortages play a role. While ski courses are not being banned outright, they can still be self-organized, financed, and held during holidays. The number of schools offering ski courses isn't currently available.
Criticism also surfaced from the Young Union, who expressed concern about ski courses being the primary and, for many, sole exposure to winter sports in Sachsen-Anhalt. They argued these compact courses supplement regular school sports and should be determined through collaboration between parents, students, and teachers.
Coalition Partner SPD Wants the Decree Scrapped
The SPD, Sachsen-Anhalt's coalition partner, also expressed concerns about the decree by Minister of Education Eva Feußner (CDU). Financial policy spokesperson for the SPD faction, Andreas Schmidt, urged the withdrawal of the decree. He described the decree as senseless, unjustified, and rooted in false assumptions, adding that it demotivates teachers across the state.
Overall, it seems the ski slopes may no longer be a part of Sachsen-Anhalt's physical education curriculum, but leave it to the schools to decide what replaces it. Keep an eye on this story as it unfolds!
- The rep from the Ministry of Education in Magdeburg suggested that theextra funds saved from scrapping ski courses could be utilized for other forms of education and self-development, such as vocational training or learning opportunities in areas like community policy, education-and-self-development, and sports.
- Despite the decision to remove ski courses from the physical education curriculum, some critics argue that vocational training in winter sports, like vocational training programs for ski instructors, should be considered as part of a comprehensive education, encompassing learning, sports, and beyond.
