Hamburg Minister pushing for expanded Digital Compact - Environment Minister in Charge
Education Minister Hamburg Urges Acceleration of Digital Pact II in Lower Saxony
Germany's Education Minister, Julia Willie Hamburg, has urged the black-red federal government to expedite the implementation of the Digital Pact II, particularly in the state of Lower Saxony. While most schools in the region are now connected to broadband networks, many are still lagging behind in digital development, as revealed by Hamburg in a statement to the Oldenburg "Nordwest-Zeitung."
Approximately 3,000 applications from the initial Digital Pact program remain unprocessed in Lower Saxony. The proposed Digital Pact II would earmark an annual investment of one billion euros for lower Saxony alone.
In addition, Hamburg announced plans to establish a social index for distributing funds among schools in Lower Saxony during this legislative period. This index will be used to determine additional personnel or resources based on social criteria, following the model of the "Start-Chance" program.
On the issue of antisemitism, Hamburg is currently in discussions with the Protestant Church about jointly awarding a school seal, a move aimed at promoting a more inclusive and respectful education environment. Hamburg is also open to suggestions for naming schools after Holocaust victims, although final decisions will be made locally.
Hamburg has expressed her skepticism about the idea of nationwide uniform summer holidays, a proposal that has gained traction among education associations. She cited potential traffic chaos as a primary concern.
A new PISA study is expected in early summer, and Hamburg expects recent measures to have a lasting impact on educational outcomes.
Despite the current slow pace of progress on Digital Pact II in Lower Saxony, specific figures regarding the number of pending applications from Digital Pact I remain unavailable. Further updates on the Digital Pact programs and their progress can be found on official Lower Saxony educational or government websites, or by directly contacting relevant administrative authorities.
To enhance the current state of digital education in Lower Saxony, Germany's Education Minister, Julia Willie Hamburg, recommends accelerating the implementation of Digital Pact II, which includes an annual investment of one billion euros for the region. Notably, the minister suggests using technology as a primary means for advancing vocational training offerings in EC countries, focusing on vocational training initiatives as a key aspect of this digital transformation.
