Laptops, tablets or smartphones: According to a survey among school principals, there is progress in equipping them with digital technology. Nevertheless, “one in ten school managements is left without devices,” according to the Education Association.
According to a survey, school principals in Germany are seeing progress in equipping schools with digital devices. In a Forsa survey commissioned by the Association for Education and Upbringing (VBE)which was presented in Stuttgart, 90 percent of those surveyed stated that class sets with laptops, tablets or smartphones were available at their school for at least some of the students.
In 2023, ten percent of schools had no class sets of laptops, tablet PCs or smartphones available to students. In 2022 this still affected 15 percent.
VBE: Every tenth facility “without devices”
From the VBE’s point of view, the equipment with technical devices is not sufficient. “While the Standing Scientific Commission of the Conference of Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs recommends in a statement that training in the use of artificial intelligence should be given starting at secondary school, one in ten school management is left without equipment,” criticized VBE chairman Gerhard Brand. According to school management, there is a lack of money for the digitalization of schools.
Association demands a show of strength
90 percent of school management has already submitted applications for funds from the digital pact, with which schools can finance the expansion of the digital infrastructure and the purchase of devices for students.
Only about a quarter of those surveyed think the resources are sufficient, three quarters think more money is needed. Brand therefore called for further support: “What is now necessary is a show of strength by the federal government, states and municipalities, which work together and sustainably, across the board and in the long term, to ensure digitization in schools.” What is needed is a digital pact that lasts forever, says Brand.