Education creates options for the personal life paths of each and every individual as well as for the future development and prosperity of our society.
Education creates options for the personal life paths of each and every individual
as well as for the future development and prosperity of our society. The challenges
of demographic change and of a looming skills shortage can only be addressed if
everyone
in Germany is given an opportunity for a sound education and the best
possible support in developing his or her talent – irrespective of background and
material resources. This requires the cooperation of all decision-makers.
The joint efforts of the Federal Government and the Länder are paying off, as shown
by the following examples: The availability of day care provision for children under
the age of three has increased considerably. The percentage of people qualified to
enter
higher education has increased from 43% to well over 50% since 2005. More
than half of each year group enters higher education. In 2018, 54% of people were
participating in continuing education and training. Education expenditure rose from
about 175 billion euros in 2010 to almost 220 billion euros in 2018.
Digitalization is posing new challenges for the education system. The coronavirus
pandemic has made us starkly aware of this. Digital education will therefore be a
priority area in the coming years. The Digital Pact for Schools provides the necessary
conditions for digital education. The Federal Government will be providing a total of
five billion euros over the next five years to develop digital infrastructure at schools.
