More and more elementary school students are missing minimum standards in German and math

Berlin - The Standing Scientific Commission of the Conference of Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs (SWK) has complained about a large number of primary school students who, when comparing their education, fall short of expectations. According to the SWK work program for the coming year, a considerable, increasing number of children do not achieve the minimum professional standards in German and mathematics.

“There are still too many children across Germany who leave primary school without being able to read and write adequately. Therefore we will devote ourselves to the question of how the lessons should look like in order to support and challenge all children in the best possible way, regardless of where they come from or where they live”, announced the Berlin educator and SWK chairwoman, Felicitas Thiel.

In primary schools, the differences in performance between children are significantly greater than in other school levels. "Different cognitive skills, linguistic backgrounds, social experiences, economic situations and cultural orientations come together," says the SWK program. This is not just an opportunity, but also a challenge.

Reading deficits often affected the entire school career
The often inadequate reading and writing skills are also promoted by the corona pandemic. "Independent learning in the first years of school just doesn't work, the students need a relationship with the teachers," said the chairman of the German Teachers' Association, Heinz-Peter Meidinger, to Bild.

Teachers reported "sometimes terrifying" to him about the deficits of their students. “It is very difficult to make up for what is missing in the first few years.” Difficulties in reading and writing often impaired the entire school career, warned Meidinger.

Source: Junge Freiheit