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Germany and Colombia have taken a significant step towards establishing a migration agreement aimed at mutually beneficial cooperation. On Wednesday, Joachim Stamp, Germany's Special Envoy for Migration Agreements, and Colombia's Vice Foreign Minister Jorge Rojas signed a declaration of intent for a migration partnership. This agreement aims to promote scientific, labor, and educational migration while combating irregular migration. A bilateral steering group will soon convene to finalize the..

A recent study from the University of Lausanne has revealed the significant benefits of finger counting for kindergarten children. Conducted with 328 five- and six-year-olds in France and Switzerland, the research shows that this method can enhance mathematical performance in over 75% of participants. Lead author Catherine Thevenot emphasizes the importance of teaching finger counting in classrooms, as it fosters higher levels of abstraction in young learners. The study indicated that children..

Student housing costs in Germany have surged, with Hamburg's average rent reaching 620 euros per month, up 3.3% from last year. The Moses Mendelssohn Institute advocates for more budget-oriented housing and lower construction costs, as even non-profit providers struggle to offer affordable rents. Nationwide, shared flat rents average 489 euros, with Munich being the priciest at 790 euros, followed by Frankfurt, Berlin, and Hamburg. The BAföG housing allowance of 380 euros is insufficient in most..

Germany faces a critical shortage of first aid knowledge among its citizens, with many not having attended a course in years. The Malteser organization is advocating for a nationwide 'First Aid Day' to address this gap. District Commissioner Doris Borchmeyer emphasizes the importance of training for those in frequent contact with the public. Emergency responders are often delayed, underscoring the need for laypeople to act quickly. First aid can significantly reduce fatalities, particularly in..

Thuringian CDU Chairman Mario Voigt and BSW founder Sahra Wagenknecht recently met in Berlin to discuss potential political collaboration. Their discussion aimed at exploring pragmatic policies that could benefit Thuringia, addressing issues like education, migration, economy, and foreign policy. Despite complicated majority situations in Thuringia, Voigt has initiated informal talks with BSW and SPD to establish fundamental grounds for future steps. The CDU, being the second strongest party a..

The number of academic staff at German universities has decreased, according to the Federal Statistical Office in Wiesbaden. By the end of 2023, there were approximately 425,800 academic employees, a 0.6% drop from the previous year's 428,500. Notably, one-third of these staff members worked part-time as guest lecturers, adjuncts, or research assistants, while two-thirds were employed full-time. This full-time contingent included about 51,900 professors and 214,900 research and artistic staff..

OpenAI has introduced its latest innovations, the 'Strawberry' bots, named o1 and o1-mini. These models are designed to excel in reasoning and solving intricate problems in science, coding, and mathematics. Impressively, the o1 model achieved an 83% score on the International Mathematics Olympiad qualifying exam and surpassed human PhD-level accuracy on scientific tests. These advancements will be accessible through ChatGPT starting Thursday. The 'Strawberry' bots employ 'chain-of-thought' re..

The state of Baden-Württemberg has established a new parent council for daycare centers and day care. The council, consisting of 9 to 20 volunteer members, will be elected through a statewide online election. This move recognizes and supports the commitment of the existing private initiative, which was founded in 2020. The council will be legally anchored, financially supported, and will have an office at the Ministry of Education. State Secretary Volker Schebesta emphasizes the importance of..

After summer break, Hesse's Minister of Education, Armin Schwarz, introduces plans to ease entry into teaching for career changers, enhance values education, and expand German lessons in primary schools. Positive feedback on new values education materials for over 36,500 refugee and immigrant students in 2,100 intensive classes is reported. In Bavaria, the new school year tackles the challenge of teacher shortages, prompting actions by Education Ministers to alleviate pressures on schools thro..

German schools have been given mediocre ratings by the German population, with an average grade of 3.01 according to the 2024 Education Barometer of the Ifo Institute. The education policy has received even worse ratings, with only 20% of respondents giving it a very good grade. The majority of Germans (78%) are calling for higher state spending on education. Proposed reforms such as compulsory kindergarten from the age of 4, language tests at 4.5 years, and daily reading training have garnered..

Cell phone bans in schools not only enhance the social atmosphere but also boost academic performance. Schools implementing bans should carefully consider students' rights and property. Numerous countries have already embraced such measures, showcasing their effectiveness. The decision to enforce smartphone restrictions during classes is at the discretion of each school in Austria, with the Ministry advising schools to establish clear rules in their regulations.

European schools like Calvijn College in the Netherlands are opting to ban mobile phones to enhance student focus and social interactions. Radboud University researchers noted positive outcomes, with students reporting reduced distractions and improved social connections. Despite initial resistance, schools have seen benefits like heightened attentiveness. While some students expressed missing their devices, the ban continues to yield advantages. France, Belgium, Hungary, Italy, and Greece have..

Schools open with 72 million students, highlighting a severe shortage of teachers, especially in elementary and middle schools. Efforts include hiring 3,800 new teachers and introducing 600 additional staff positions, focusing on health and relief for educators. Educational reforms involve modernizing curricula, addressing current events, and enhancing basic skills. Berlin welcomes over 37,000 first graders amidst concerns about class overcrowding and teacher working conditions. The state emph..

The right-wing AfD is leading in Brandenburg, sparking concerns due to its extremist classification. The election's focus includes immigration, education, and transport, shifting from past concerns about mobility, education, and climate change. In Hessen, the AfD is positioning candidates for the 2025 Bundestag elections amidst growing influence in the state's politics. Schools in Leipzig are grappling with young voters increasingly turning to AfD, possibly out of frustration with the lack of..

As the new school year begins, schools in Germany are facing various challenges. One of the main concerns is the shortage of teachers, particularly at elementary and middle schools. To address this issue, 3,800 new teachers have been hired, with 1,600 of them in new positions. Additionally, 600 extra positions have been created for multi-professional staff. The focus this year is on the health and relief of teachers, as well as the modernization of curricula and examination culture. In an effort..

A recent survey by the ADAC Foundation reveals that every fourth elementary school child is driven to school by parents. However, this practice has been criticized as children do not learn about traffic safety this way. The majority of parents also acknowledge the presence of too many cars at schools, with 62% of respondents expressing concern. Last year alone, 27,000 children were injured in traffic accidents, with 6- to 14-year-olds having the highest number of accidents in the morning while..

The German Federal Government is considering a new law to regulate the training of care assistants at a national level for the first time. The law aims to create a separate professional profile for care assistant nursing. The proposed training duration is typically 18 months, with a requirement of a high school diploma. However, in certain cases, applicants without a diploma may also be considered. Currently, the guidelines for care assistant training are regulated at the state level. The new..

Berlin has improved in the education ranking, but remains behind in important categories such as reading competence, numeracy skills, and integration. The correlation between social background and school success is more pronounced here than in other federal states. There are also too few training positions, leading to a high rate of unserved applicants. However, there are positive aspects such as high care rates, a high proportion of all-day offers, and a balanced age structure of teachers. In..

In a growing trend, schools across Europe are implementing bans on smartphones to combat screen addiction and improve student concentration. Bulgaria saw a demonstration in support of freedom to discuss sexual identity among students, Ukraine is renovating shelters in schools, and the Philippines closed schools due to heat. Hungary witnessed protests after a headmaster was dismissed for refusing to implement a smartphone ban, with similar bans now in place in the Netherlands, Denmark, France,..

A recent study reveals that almost one third of students in Germany have a migration background, while only 11% of teachers do. The proportion of students with a migration background has increased in the past five years. Additionally, 12% of students have one immigrant parent. In contrast, 59% of students and 84% of teachers do not have a migration background. The data was gathered from a Microcensus sample and extrapolated to population key figures. The highest proportion of migration students..

A recent study reveals that young individuals with disabilities, aged 14-27, exhibit significantly lower levels of satisfaction compared to their peers without disabilities. These individuals encounter higher rates of discrimination, struggle with social integration, forming friendships, and asserting self-determination. The 'Inclusion Barometer Youth' survey conducted by Aktion Mensch and Ipsos highlights the disparities, with only 53% of those with disabilities reporting satisfaction, contra..

A new study start assistance program offering €1000 becomes available for first-time students from low-income families across Germany, the EU, and Switzerland. Despite online application, the process still involves manual paperwork, highlighting the need for full digitalization. Calls for swift, comprehensive digitalization of financial aid offices and adequate funding for student service centres are made to ensure efficient disbursement. Additionally, applying for student financial aid is emp..

A mobile phone ban has been implemented at Dutch schools since Monday, aiming to reduce distraction and improve concentration among students. The ban allows exceptions for instructional purposes and medical reasons. Schools have taken on the responsibility of enforcing the ban, resulting in more sociable breaks for students. The decision to implement the ban sparked controversy with ministers of education and parents, who expressed concerns about the addictive nature of social media. Similar b..

First-year students under 25 who previously received social benefits or were in child and youth welfare can apply for a one-time study start-up aid of 1,000 euros. The application is digital and must be submitted by the end of the month following the start of studies. The grant is non-repayable. The aid is aimed at easing the financial burden on students from low-income families. This initiative has been praised for its support by the DSW Executive Board Chairman, Matthias Anbuhl, although he..

Berlin faces a pressing need for 27,000 additional school places, particularly in districts like Neukölln, as highlighted by Education Senator Katharina Günther-Wünsch. The Lisa-Tetzner-School, burdened with a renovation backlog and meager funding, exemplifies the broader challenges within the education system. The shortage of teachers persists, with 695 unfilled positions in Berlin and 450 in Brandenburg, leading to a reliance on a high number of lateral and beginner educators. Despite these..

Recent state elections in Thuringia and Saxony marked a shift in the political system, with a new three-party dynamic emerging in East Germany. The CDU faces a dilemma in Saxony, with the Minister President now needing to negotiate with Sahra Wagenknecht to stay in power. The AfD's Sperrminorität in Saxony and Thuringia gives them the ability to block crucial decisions. In Niedersachsen, political divisions and party influences are hindering student-focused education reforms, with calls for ex..

Greek schools will enforce a ban on mobile phones starting on September 11. The regulations, introduced by Mitsotakis and Pierrakakis, aim to combat distractions and cyberbullying. Students must keep their phones in their bags, with violators facing expulsion. The OLME union emphasizes persuasion over punishment. Similar bans have been implemented in Wallonia and Spain. The restrictions come after a week-long ban on mobile phones in 373 schools in French-speaking Wallonia, aiming to ensure stu..

A shortage of skilled workers is impacting lucrative fields like research, aerospace, and finance. Vocational training programs, especially technical ones from construction, are in high demand with a median income surpassing 3,500 euros. To combat this shortage, experts recommend promoting vocational programs, hiring foreign skilled workers, and caution against relying solely on wage increases. Interestingly, some vocational workers earn more than university graduates, highlighting the value and..

The School of the Air in Australia's outback offers top-notch distance education to children in remote areas, utilizing cutting-edge technologies like satellites. With support from tutors and occasional face-to-face sessions, students excel despite challenges like harsh weather conditions. Royal visitors Princess Diana and Prince Charles once graced the school, highlighting its unique approach. Despite the vast distances and rugged conditions, children participate in farm work early, fostering..

As the new school year begins, Berlin is facing a shortage of fully trained teachers, with less than half of the 3,000 new hires being fully qualified. The situation is compounded by the presence of career changers, single-subject teachers, and lateral entrants. While there has been a slight improvement compared to last year, with 690 positions still open, education experts argue that the numbers are misleading. The conversion of positions to other professions, the elimination of trainee hours,..

Frankfurt has introduced two new high schools, each with a distinct focus: The New Gymnasium emphasizes natural sciences, computer science, and economics, while the City Gymnasium prioritizes bilingualism, digital skills, and sustainability. Students at the New Gymnasium receive personalized items to foster a sense of belonging. The schools aim to create a welcoming environment, with an introductory week and student-centric initiatives. Despite initial challenges like container facilities, stu..

As the summer vacation comes to an end, students in Hesse, Rheinland-Pfalz, and Saarland are returning to school, joining over 1.5 million students in these three states. In Hesse alone, there are 810,000 students, including 60,000 first graders, while Rheinland-Pfalz has 548,000 students, including approximately 41,000 first graders. The start of the school year also brings an expansion of all-day schools, support for refugee children, and initiatives to digitalize education through programs..

Saxony collaborates with the Swimming Association to enhance children's swimming lessons, introducing four proficiency levels in primary schools since 2019/2020. Parents will now receive clear feedback on their child's swimming abilities. Minister of Education Christian Piwarz highlights the advantages of this initiative, emphasizing that the common 'Seepferdchen' swimming badge only corresponds to proficiency level two.