The proposal by Education Minister Karin Prien to introduce migration quotas in schools has met with significant opposition from across the German political landscape. Jasmina Hostert, spokesperson for education policy for the SPD faction, strongly rejected the idea, emphasizing the need to provide all children, regardless of their background, with the support they need within the education system. Hostert argued that introducing quotas or similar models would be unacceptable, asserting that the focus should be on ensuring equal opportunities for all children through initiatives like early language support and expanding the Startchancen program.
Nicole Gohlke, spokesperson for education policy for the Left party, echoed this sentiment, questioning the practicality of Prien’s proposal and highlighting the challenges faced in urban areas where a high proportion of children come from families with migrant backgrounds. Gohlke criticized the proposal as a distraction from addressing the systemic issues and a form of political deflection.
While support for Prien’s suggestion is limited, Anja Weisgerber, a CSU parliamentary group representative with responsibility for education, acknowledged the strain on the education system due to increased migration in recent years. Weisgerber stated that many schools are struggling with a lack of linguistic foundations in classrooms, making individual support difficult. She suggested learning from the experiences of other countries facing similar challenges and emphasized the importance of early and consistent language support.
The German Teachers’ Association also expressed reservations about the practicality of implementing migration quotas. Stefan Düll, the association’s president, pointed out that such a system would likely necessitate children traveling long distances to attend school, conflicting with the principle of local schooling. He reiterated the need to prioritize early and targeted language support instead.
Andreas Schleicher, Director for Education and Skills at the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), offered a contrasting perspective, referencing OECD studies that suggest that the concentration of students with migrant backgrounds can significantly impact school performance. Schleicher indicated that systems which distribute students more evenly may offer advantages.