As several German states begin the new school year, the Social Association of Germany (SoVD) is advocating for increased efforts to promote educational equity. Michaela Engelmeier, the SoVD’s chairperson, stated to the Funke Media Group’s Sunday editions that the correlation between a child’s educational success and their parents’ financial status is unacceptable and requires immediate political action.
Engelmeier emphasized that educational equity must move beyond rhetoric, pointing to statistics showing that one in five school children in Germany lives in poverty while the majority begin the school year with fully equipped supplies.
While welcoming increased investment in schools for modern learning materials and digital equipment in the new federal budget, Engelmeier stressed the need for further improvements. These include fully accessible school buildings, inclusive learning environments and free learning materials. She also called for better working conditions for school medical, psychological, social and special educational support staff, as well as an increase in the number of teachers.
The SoVD chairperson also advocated for more targeted support programs for students, including free tutoring and concentrated assistance for disadvantaged children, regardless of their academic performance or background. She believes access to quality education is crucial to breaking the cycle of poverty.
“It’s high time we shape education to be fair, modern and accessible and make it a priority” Engelmeier urged.
The states of Saxony, Thuringia and Saxony-Anhalt are the first to commence the new school year on Monday.