Fourth-graders across Germany continue to fail in German and math subjects, according to a new study. The negative trend has even increased since 2016, the Conference of Education Ministers (KMK) announced on Monday in Berlin. Above all, the social background has an increasing influence on the educational success of the pupils.
The Institute for Quality Development in Education (IQB) this year examined the teaching skills of fourth-graders in German and mathematics. More than 26,000 fourth-grade students from approximately 1,400 schools took part in the survey.
Social influence on educational success increased by corona crisis
According to the survey, the number of students meeting the minimum standard fell in both subjects. At the same time, more students did not meet this standard. The association between the social background and the educational success of the students also increased. It is especially difficult for children with an immigrant background.
The study cited school closures during the coronavirus pandemic as a major reason for the deterioration. How strong a student is at school is closely related to the home learning environment during the pandemic. Insufficient equipment can jeopardize learning success.
The incumbent KMK chairman and education minister Karin Prien (CDU) of Schleswig-Holstein called the results “soothing”. “In Germany we invest too little in primary education,” she explains. Acquiring German and numeracy skills should be given more attention in childcare. “As KMK we will have to think about how we can restore more education law,” explains Prien.
(AFP)