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Thomas Will warns against cuts in internally differentiated year groups
The Hessian Ministry of Education is planning cuts to integrated comprehensive schools (IGS) as part of its budget consolidation efforts. This will particularly affect year groups with differentiated instruction, for whom, according to available information, a previous financial supplement is to be partially eliminated.
District Administrator Thomas Will expresses strong criticism of the plans. "Cutting back on education is not the right way to put our country back on the road to success," he explains, referring to the current considerations.
Concern about individual support
According to the working group of principals of Hessian comprehensive schools and the non-profit association for comprehensive schools – an association for schools of inclusive learning – the planned cuts could amount to up to 2.1 teacher hours per week per class. Depending on the size of the school, this would mean the elimination of one or more teaching positions across the entire school.
District Administrator Will sees this as a clear contradiction to current educational and societal challenges. More and more students are arriving at school with additional burdens, such as difficult family situations or other disabilities. Rising caseloads in youth welfare services also confirm this trend.
For over a year, they have been working together with the integrated comprehensive schools on concepts to address these challenges. The planned budget cuts would counteract these efforts.
Importance of internal differentiation
According to the district administrator, internal differentiation within learning groups is a central component of the work at integrated comprehensive schools. Different learning paces and individual educational pathways are specifically taken into account there.
Individualized support can prevent school dropouts and opens up various educational pathways – from secondary schools to apprenticeships. A strong educational landscape is also important with regard to the demand for skilled workers.
Furthermore, Will emphasizes the societal value of collaborative learning. Integrated comprehensive schools not only promote academic skills but also the personal development of students. In his view, proven structures should not be weakened by austerity measures.
At the same time, he warns that any potential cuts would ultimately have to be absorbed by the local school authorities.
(District of Gross-Gerau – RED/PSKGG)
