In the new school year, the “4-plus-1 model” will be launched in Saxony-Anhalt. During a model project, children are to go to school for four days, and the fifth day can be used “creatively”. However, teachers’ associations fear a “permanent loss of standards”.
Saxony-Anhalt wants to test a model with four face-to-face teaching days per week and one day for distance learning or practical days in companies at a dozen schools. A spokesman for the Ministry of Education in Magdeburg explained that the basis was a decision by the state parliament to test new models for organizing lessons in schools. The schools would have responded to a corresponding call for tenders. However, the ministry does not see the model as an instrument against a shortage of teachers. “Spiegel” and the “Magdeburger Volksstimme” had previously reported. In secondary schools in particular, there is a shortage of teachers, and lessons are often inevitable.
Specifically, the 4-plus-1 model is to be tested at twelve secondary and community schools in the new 2022/23 school year. The pupils are to be taught in the schools for four days. According to the ministry spokesman, the fifth day should be dealt with relatively creatively. Digital learning via apps or the Moodle portal is just as possible as visits to companies and practical learning days. The model project should run for a school year and then be evaluated, it said.
However, there was strong criticism from teachers’ associations. “We are extremely critical of that,” said association president Heinz-Peter. Not only do we have the suspicion that a savings model is to be introduced step by step, but that the lesson cancellation statistics are also to be massively embellished.”
The President of the Teachers’ Association sees the fact that the fifth day is to be designed flexibly as particularly negative. “That means that it no longer depends on the timetable, but that you can do whatever you want there.” Meidinger fears a “permanent drop in level”. Previously binding learning goals would be even less achievable.
State chairman Torsten Wahl commented: “Here, life and learning time is clearly wasted at the expense of the pupils. Such a day must be planned, prepared, carried out and followed up very well in the teaching work enormous additional burden.”
