Jever: Dispute over iPads for primary school students – digitalization under criticism!

Jever: Dispute over iPads for primary school students – digitalization under criticism!

It's boiling in Jever! The city is planning to digitize its primary schools with a brand new media concept. But the idea of ​​equipping all students with tablets by 2029 is causing heated discussions. The Committee for Schools, Youth, Social Affairs and Family approved the draft unanimously, but opinions differ as to how far the equipment should go.

The plan, which was initiated by the CDU parliamentary group two years ago, aims to record the current IT inventory and create an investment plan for the years 2025 to 2028. While the committee members agree that digital education must be promoted in schools, the idea of ​​100% equipping all primary school students with iPads is met with skepticism. A first step only envisages a 50 percent supply from 2025.

Debate about digital education

Elke Weil from the Free Citizens criticized that reading and writing was neglected among primary school students and that what was written was often just “gibberish”. Also Dr. Nicola Koch from the Greens wonders whether full equipment is really necessary to strengthen digital education. Christina Haartje-Graalfs from the SPD expresses concerns about the complete equipment and points out the high follow-up costs for maintenance and replacement devices.

Interestingly, a regression in digital education is already being observed in Scandinavia, as Haartje-Graalfs notes. Nevertheless, Dr. Matthias Bollmeyer from the CDU said that digital education was the responsibility of the school authorities and that the necessary funds must be provided. Bettina Golland, headmaster of the Paul Sillus School, emphasizes the need for complete equipment in order to train first graders in the use of technology. Special tools and apps could also help with inclusion and compensate for differences between students.