►The quality of education and schools is one of the most important factors in promoting students' resilience.
►The physical and mental health of children and young people is essential for their academic success.
►The needs of pupils and families must be considered in school development planning.
►When planning new school buildings, consider climate change and incorporate heat protection and ample green spaces instead of soil sealing.
These were the key points discussed at the STADT FORUM POTSDAM meeting on 9 July at Rosa-Luxemburg-Grundschule, where city politicians, student representatives, head teachers, academics, and representatives of the Potsdam District Parents' Council came together to talk about these issues.
From the pupils' perspective, there is an urgent need for new learning and teaching methods that focus on:
- A life-relevant, application-oriented and cross-curricular transfer of knowledge instead of the mindless querying of factual knowledge;
- Taking self-determination and self-regulation into account.
- The school subject LER or philosophy up to Abitur level.
From a Headmaster perspective, schools should focus more on practical learning in the community.
There was widespread agreement that the urgent need for rapid social change requires a profound transformation in knowledge transfer. One innovative approach is the University School, the concept of which was presented by Dr Nadine Spörer, Professor of Psychological Primary School Education at the University of Potsdam. According to this concept, educational equity is achieved when educational success is decoupled from family circumstances, through a school for all with flexible learning structures and no external separation into educational programmes.
The discussion concluded with a clear call to action for the municipality and state:
- School development planning for 2026 should focus on actual numbers and needs, and the municipalities of Potsdam and Potsdam-Mittelmark should be considered together. New schools should also be built in the surrounding area.
- More focus should be placed on popular schools.
- Rather than pursuing austerity, the necessary funds should be invested in improving the quality of education and schools.
- Additionally, the state's cuts to education must be reversed.
Only then can inclusion, joint learning and all-day care continue to be guaranteed and strengthened.
Did you miss the event? Watch the stream Stream here