Technology – The Minister of Education attaches conditions to the new school digital charter

Bettina Stark-Watzinger (archive) via DTS News Agency

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Berlin (dts news agency) – Federal Education Minister Bettina Stark-Watsinger (FDP) sets conditions for updating the digital agreement between the federal and state governments for schools, which the federal states have strongly demanded.

“I am clearly committed to the Digital Charter 2.0 from 2025. But before we as a federal government take new money into our hands, the money from the first Digital Charter must be used,” Stark-Fatsinger told the German Editorial Network (Monday editions). This is not quite the case yet, the minister said.

In addition, lessons must be learned from the experiences of the first digital charter. “The new system must be non-bureaucratic, involve municipalities, and also take into account teacher training and equipment maintenance,” she said.

According to the Ministry of Education, 4.2 billion euros have not yet flowed from the first digital charter, which was launched in mid-2019 with federal funds amounting to 6.5 billion euros. Applications can be submitted until May. The aim of the agreement is to provide schools with modern computers, Wi-Fi and other networks and digital technology.

In light of Pisa's poor results, Stark-Watzinger also called for a new form of cooperation between the federal and state governments. So far, she said, the federal government has only been allowed to enter into education policy agreements with all states together. “So that we can become faster, I would like the federal government to also be able to work with a group of states,” the minister emphasized. When asked if they wanted to form a “coalition of the willing”, the FDP politician replied: “You can call it that. We need more speed for better education.”

In this context, Stark Watzinger warned states against delaying the planned start-up program for schools facing socially difficult situations. “It has been agreed that the federal and state governments will reach a final agreement by the end of the month. There should not be any major delay on the part of the states now,” she warned. “We have developed an excellent support program for around 4,000 schools in difficult situations that will make a real difference, especially when it comes to basic skills,” the Minister emphasized.

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