Education revolution in Dortmund: iPads for everyone, places are missing!

Education revolution in Dortmund: iPads for everyone, places are missing!

Dortmund, Deutschland - in Dortmund is a digital turn, because the city introduces iPads for all students. This project results from a comprehensive educational program that was launched in 2020. In this context, Thomas Westphal, the mayor, had formulated various goals to improve the educational landscape. In addition to the flood of technology, early childhood support is also to be expanded, which leads to a current area of tension.

Although the introduction of the iPads is a big step towards digitization, an essential area is not taken into account: the lack of OGS and daycare places. This means that despite the technological progress, many parents continue to have difficulty finding suitable care offers for their children. Especially in times when the compatibility of work and family is a decisive topic for many, the question remains how sustainable these developments actually are.

digital equipment as a key to education

The decision for iPads is intended to help students develop their skills in dealing with digital technology at an early stage. This initiative is part of a larger strategy that also includes the networking of schools and daycare centers in the respective districts. The aim is to improve access to educational resources and create a modern learning environment. However, the question remains whether the technical equipment can be a sufficient solution for the challenges in the Dortmund educational landscape without improving the childcare places.

The project was released in response to the increasingly urgent requirements for the city's education policy. It remains to be seen whether these steps will actually cause the hoped -for changes. In view of the existing gaps in the childcare offer, the introduction of the iPads could quickly be overtaken by reality if the childcare situation is not significantly improved.