German Education Expert Advocates for Integration over Segregation

A prominent German education expert and former school principal has raised urgent concerns regarding the challenges facing schools today. With issues such as a shortage of qualified teachers and integration difficulties becoming increasingly pressing, she emphasizes the importance of prioritizing integration rather than segregation.

The newly established Austrian government coalition has introduced plans for 'rehabilitation classes' aimed at children facing educational challenges. The education expert has expressed skepticism about this initiative, stating that effective implementation would require small group sizes and highly qualified staff. She also noted that the presence of specialized educators, school psychologists, speech therapists, and close collaboration with youth services and parents is essential for success.

Highlighting the need for a concerted effort between politics, academia, and civil society, she welcomed the government's planned development budget, emphasizing the direct link between socio-economic status and educational opportunities. The expert advocates for a more inclusive approach to students with limited German language skills, suggesting that a model similar to one used in Berlin--where students initially attend welcome classes for six weeks before transitioning into regular classes with additional language support--could yield better outcomes.

She noted that isolated learning environments hinder refugee children's progress and underscored the necessity for enhanced training for teachers to alleviate uncertainties in the classroom. Regarding a proposed ban on mobile phones in schools until the eighth grade, she acknowledged the rationale behind this policy but suggested that a more nuanced approach is needed, recommending a trial period to evaluate its effectiveness.

The expert emphasizes the importance of equipping both students and teachers with critical media literacy skills. Praising the systematic educational policy approach of the current government, she called for collaborative efforts, arguing that education must move beyond self-interest and rivalry among political parties.

Her reform strategy is based on a three-pillar model: fostering a child-friendly school leadership approach, establishing binding quality standards, and collaborating with civil society organizations. This approach was successfully implemented during her tenure at a school in Berlin, which gained national attention as a struggling institution in 2006. She led efforts to merge the school with two others, creating a community school that focuses on collaboration and integration.

Today, this school is recognized as a model for successful educational transformation. Looking toward the future, she advocates for more project-based learning, suggesting that themes should be addressed in an interdisciplinary manner. Additionally, she believes teachers should be given more freedom to experiment with new teaching methods while ensuring quality standards are maintained. She views educational quality management systems as essential tools for school leaders, asserting that when students feel comfortable, their learning improves, ultimately raising the quality of instruction.