Brandenburg‘s New Coalition Sees Educational Changes Ahead
While the SPD and BSW in Brandenburg took a week longer than the upcoming “traffic light” coalition in Thuringia to present their coalition agreement, one thing is already certain: the SPD will retain the Ministry of Education.
Digital Devices Debate in Schools Over
The SPD had its way in other areas as well.
For instance, there will be no blanket ban on digital devices in elementary schools. Additionally, the Bundeswehr will continue to be allowed to visit schools.
“Kita of the Year” Shows Resilience in the Face of Loss
If the loss of a dental brace leads kindergarten children to form a crisis team, you’re in Rötha near Leipzig. There, the “Regenbogenland” kindergarten has taken the title of “Kita of the Year.” The prize is awarded by the Federal Ministry for Family Affairs and the German Children and Youth Foundation.
“We already knew who would win,” said a colleague. “Of course, without giving anything away, we sent our colleague Hannah Jäger to the now award-winning kindergarten.” Read her report and learn more about what she experienced.
Family Minister Seeks Learning Opportunities, Not Perfection
Because of the Kita Prize, we invited Federal Minister for Family Affairs Lisa Paus to our podcast studio.
There, she discussed with our colleague Vera Kraft why the prize isn’t awarded to the perfect kindergarten, but rather one from which others can learn. Listen to the full podcast or read a summary below.
How might the SPD and CDU’s differing priorities regarding early childhood education and vocational training, respectively, be reconciled in Brandenburg’s new coalition government?
## Brandenburg’s New Coalition: Education in Focus
**Host:** Welcome back to the show. Today we’re discussing the recent election results in Brandenburg and what they mean for the future of education in the region. Joining us is Dr. Anne Schmidt, a political scientist specializing in regional German politics.
Dr. Schmidt, thank you for being here.
**Dr. Schmidt:** It’s a pleasure to be here.
**Host:** The recent election saw a potential coalition forming between the SPD and the CDU in Brandenburg. What are some of the key implications this could have for the education sector specifically?
**Dr. Schmidt:** Well, this coalition is interesting because both parties have expressed different priorities regarding education. The SPD has traditionally focused on early childhood education and expanding access to affordable childcare [[1](https://www.gmfus.org/news/all-politics-local-national-and-global-what-brandenburg-regional-election-means-germany)]. The CDU, on the other hand, tends to prioritize vocational training and strengthening ties between schools and industry.
**Host:** So, could we potentially see a blend of these approaches in the new coalition government?
**Dr. Schmidt:** Absolutely. The success of this coalition hinges on finding common ground and compromising on key issues. We may see a focus on improving the quality of vocational training while also expanding opportunities for early childhood education. There might also be initiatives aimed at modernizing school curricula to better prepare students for the changing job market.
**Host:** That sounds promising. Are there any potential challenges this coalition might face when implementing these educational changes?
**Dr. Schmidt:** Certainly. Funding will always be a major concern. Both parties will need to work together to secure sufficient resources for their respective priorities. There might also be pushback from certain stakeholders, such as teachers’ unions or industry groups, who may have differing opinions on the proposed changes.
**Host:**
Dr. Schmidt, thank you for shedding light on this complex issue. It will be fascinating to see how this new coalition shapes the future of education in Brandenburg.
**Dr. Schmidt:** My pleasure. I believe it’s a pivotal moment for the region’s education system, and there is certainly a lot to be hopeful for.