Addressing the backlog in the educational process caused by the COVID-19 pandemic in Germany requires additional public funding of approximately €1.5 billion, according to estimates by the German Economic Institute (IW). According to data from the German Teachers' Association, students have lost more than 500 hours of lessons since the beginning of the pandemic.
The German newspaper "Rheinische Post," citing the institute's report, mentioned that the pandemic has created an increased need for support among around 1.5 million school students. The report's authors believe that the average need for support is about 100 hours per affected student, which leads to the estimated required costs of around €1.5 billion. The report stated: "This is the money that needs to be spent to avoid exacerbating educational inequality and the rising costs associated with it."
**Support Program**
The federal government and state governments have been discussing the launch of a funding program for weeks, focusing on a support program worth €1 billion. German Education Minister Anja Karliczek stated in remarks to the Funke Media Group that this is the necessary value of support for core subjects.
States led by the Social Democratic Party propose providing additional lessons for about 20% of school students, out of a total of 11 million students — amounting to two hours per week for an entire school year, or four hours daily for half a school year. The German Teachers' Association has indicated that students have lost over 500 hours of lessons since the pandemic began.
**Funding Offers**
Karliczek stated, "It is likely that 20 to 25% of students will experience significant and possibly severe learning backlog," adding that funding offers will be made available early in the summer holidays if possible, or by the latest in the new school year. These offers will include core subjects such as German and mathematics, and may also involve the first foreign language.
The minister noted that the target group mainly includes school students who are about to transition to a new educational level — either to secondary school or vocational training. She explained that the necessary requirements would be identified through a survey of the educational situation in Germany.
