"Plan Z": Wiederkehr Wants to Transform School "for Real Life"

The NEOS had promised a catch-up race in education and had already set many things in motion, he emphasized. In times of profound change, however, catching up is not enough. Wiederkehr therefore announced a "Plan Z" to put the system "in the fast lane." The goal: "A school that prepares for real life."

In the more than eight months since taking office, he sees daily how much commitment the staff in kindergartens and schools show for the children and young people, how much joy the students have in their school time, and how parents help make the school even better through their commitment, Wiederkehr optimistically began his half-hour keynote speech. Where things do not work well, they respond with measures such as the expansion of language support and school psychology, reduction of bureaucracy, or more money for locations with particularly difficult conditions.

Not Yet a School for Life

When he asks himself after this interim balance whether the school prepares children and young people for life, "the honest answer" is no, the minister admitted in front of around 160 young people, experts, and leaders from the education sector in the audience. The world is undergoing a fundamental change due to technological revolutions like AI, challenges such as democracy-threatening disinformation, and global crises from climate change to migration. This also has a massive impact on what education must achieve.

He wants to move away from an "old, sluggish education system" with outdated curricula and rigid structures, away from rote learning towards creativity, problem-solving, and critical thinking, resilience, and entrepreneurial spirit, digital and social skills, Wiederkehr emphasized. Young people should become "responsible, creative, and also happy adults." Education is a community project, and besides the school, parents and the community must also take responsibility. He also demanded performance from the children and young people. This requires effort and discipline but is rewarded with personal independence and social participation.

Wiederkehr: "Plan Z" to Be Ready by March

Together with experts and "the people in the education system," Wiederkehr wants to develop a "Plan Z - Z for the future of our children" in the coming months and "bring pedagogy into the 21st century." "This cannot be a mere surface renovation, but must be a complete overhaul," he emphasized. The "Plan Z" is more than a chapter in the government program; it is "a vision and at the same time its implementation path," with some aspects possibly coming into practice quickly and others only after the end of this legislative period.

In his planned overhaul, Wiederkehr expects discussions, for example, about the definition of "real life" and the role of school or the value of (general) education compared to training. He plans to present his "Plan Z" by March, with implementation starting in the second quarter.

The minister wants to start in kindergarten with the question of what and how should be taught there. His "starting points" for the school are reminiscent of well-known NEOS demands or the government program: Schools should have more autonomy, and teachers should have more time for the children thanks to less bureaucracy, and changes in teacher training should ensure that only those who are truly suitable teach. Wiederkehr wants to update schoolbooks more quickly and supplement them with learning apps, and the opportunities of individualized learning through AI should also be a topic. Wiederkehr wants to "declutter" the recently revised curricula and focus on new subjects and the "orientation towards fundamental competencies of the future." What can be dispensed with will be "one of the discussions of the coming months."

(APA/Red)

This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.