Germany Moves To All-Day Schools

In the wake of German students' dismal showing in an international assessment of education standards, the German government is increasing the number of hours students spend with their teachers each day. On Monday, the government officially launched a program that will introduce all-day schools across the country for the first time.

German Education Minister Edelgard Bulmahn signed an agreement between the Federal government and the German states that will lead to the establishment of 10,000 all-day schools nationwide.

An investment in learning

As part of its €4 billion ($4.6 billion) investment program in the federal education system, the German government said it would set up a new independent agency to develop and evaluate educational standards nationwide as well as an expert commission to oversee education across the country.

Around €300 million will be made available this year for individual German states to set up the all-day schools for children aged 6-16. A further €1 billion ($1.1 billion) will be paid out over the next three years, with €700 million ($810 million) to be invested in 2007.

"We need a new culture of optimism for education," Bulmahn said in a statement, adding that all day schooling would offer more time for learning and provide "more variety in education."

Currently, the majority of schools in Germany operate on a half-day basis, with lessons ending around lunchtime.

Improving education

In a study released by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development last year know as the Program for International Student Assessment (PISA), Germany scored well below average, joining Italy, Hungary and Poland in the bottom third. The study also revealed that German school children had poor reading skills and less knowledge of mathematics than students in other countries.

Many teachers in Germany are in favor of the educational reforms. A survey commissioned by the Germany's teacher's union last year revealed that more than half would welcome a longer school day.

Parents are also expected to benefit from being able to send their children to school for the entire day. Many argue that half-day schooling prevents parents from being able to return to work.

Germany's Education Ministry is counting on widespread support to help facilitate implementation of the ambitious plan. Having stressed last year that a good education system "is as important as the air we breathe," Bulmahn emphasized that establishing the new schools was a collective effort.

"It's important that the process of developing all-day schools is supported by the educational authorities and by the schools themselves," Bulmahn said.