Karin Prien: Language tests for four-year-olds and the daycare requirement in sight!

Karin Prien: Language tests for four-year-olds and the daycare requirement in sight!

The demand for comprehensive language tests for four-year-olds is becoming increasingly important in Germany. Education and Family Minister Karin Prien (CDU) emphasizes that the results of these tests should lead to mandatory language support services before starting school. These measures are part of a comprehensive plan to improve the transition between daycare and school. Loud oe24 However, the decision about the introduction of these tests and a possible daycare requirement lies in the hands of the federal states.

Prien is of the opinion that compulsory daycare could bring advantages. She also emphasizes the parenting responsibility of parents, which she believes is essential for early childhood education. The increasing proportion of children with poor starting prospects is considered worrying, which makes increased educational compensatory measures necessary. Prien sees collaboration between parents, daycare centers and schools as crucial to counteracting these challenges.

Cell phone use in schools

Another aspect of Prien's reform plans is the issue of cell phone use in schools. She advocates a ban on private cell phone use in primary schools because excessive screen time is associated with poor learning performance and psychosocial problems. The minister introduced such a ban as early as 2023 and was criticized for it in some quarters. Nevertheless, the debate over cell phone use in schools has gained momentum, particularly due to concerns about children's concentration and communication skills, which are threatened by high levels of screen time.

The problems in daycare centers cannot be overlooked either. A recent study, as by taz reports, shows that daycare center management in Germany faces major challenges, including a shortage of skilled workers and inadequate language support. Over 84% of daycare center managers report an increased staff shortage in the last year. In addition, many complain about the high administrative burden, which often makes their educational work more difficult.

Calls for more support

The study also finds that over 99% of daycare center management receives appreciation from the children and 88% from parents, but only 13% receives recognition from federal policy. This lack of appreciation, reinforced by negative reporting, is seen as part of the problem when it comes to improving quality in daycare centers. Tomi Neckov, the deputy federal chairman of the VBE, therefore demands that practical measures to promote language are urgently needed in order not to disadvantage non-German-speaking children.

The minister also points out that effective language assessments and language support also require teachers to be prepared for more demanding groups of students. One goal is to halve the school dropout rate by 2035. This should be supported by investing in educational infrastructure, increasing the number of offerings offered by schools and youth welfare services, and improving language support in daycare centers.

Overall, the discussion about improving early childhood education and the role of daycare centers and schools in Germany continues to be intensive. It remains to be seen how the planned reforms will be implemented in practice and what specific impact they will have on the children affected and their families.