BIW on education

The BIW wants every child tested from age three to spot language and learning gaps early. Children with a high need for support would be required to attend kindergarten and, where necessary, a public preschool. Refugee children of school age would first learn German in preparatory classes.

The BIW wants to test all children at age three. This should show language problems early. Children with big problems must then go to kindergarten. Refugee children first learn German in separate classes.

The test would take place after a child's third birthday and be suited to that age. The existing PRIMO language test one year before school entry would stay as an additional check. Children from refugee families would attend preparatory classes that focus on German alongside regular subject matter before moving to a regular class. Ukrainian children could instead take part in their home country's online distance schooling and be exempted from compulsory schooling in Germany.

The BIW wants to dissolve Bremen's Oberschulen (comprehensive secondary schools) and bring back Hauptschule, Realschule and Gymnasium. The move to secondary school would depend only on performance and ability. The party also wants earlier grading, conduct grades and mandatory grade repetition.

The BIW wants to end the Oberschule school type. There would again be three types of secondary school. A test at the end of primary school decides which one fits. Children could again be held back a year.

At the end of four years of primary school, a standardized selection procedure would determine the suitable track. Children would start school at six, with deferrals allowed only as an exception. Grades would be given from third grade at the latest, along with conduct grades for participation, behavior and social conduct. Students who miss basic learning goals would have to repeat the year; the BIW argues that dropping this rule lowers motivation and effort.

The BIW rejects teaching children with special needs in learning, language or behavior together with others in regular classes. These children would instead receive intensive support at special-needs schools. Children with physical disabilities would also preferably be taught there.

The BIW is against shared classes for all children. Children with learning problems should go to special schools. The BIW says they get better help there. This also applies to children with physical disabilities.

The proposal covers students with difficulties in learning, language or behavior. They would be taught at specialized schools with intensive educational support. For children with physical disabilities, the platform also prefers special-needs schools. The stated reason is that staff and equipment are concentrated there, allowing the children to develop their potential more fully.

The BIW wants to attract more teachers to Bremen, including through higher pay and housing for educators moving in. Career changers, classroom assistants and retired teachers would also be brought in. In the long run, class sizes would shrink.

Bremen does not have enough teachers. The BIW wants to pay teachers more. Teachers from other states should get apartments. People without teacher training could also teach. Later, classes should be smaller.

The plan includes higher salaries, housing for teachers from other states and more scholarships for student teachers who commit to Bremen or Bremerhaven. Trained assistants would help in class, and career changers without teaching qualifications would work under checks by the school authority. Retired teachers would be offered incentives to return for a limited time, and hybrid teaching would be expanded. The long-term target is 15 to 20 children per class, especially in primary schools, and no more than 25 at Gymnasium.

The BIW wants tougher action against truancy, with higher fines for parents and loss of custody in serious cases. Violence and bullying at schools would have to be reported and would lead to expulsion. Schools with repeated violent incidents would get entrance checks.

The BIW wants all children to attend school. Parents of children who skip school should pay higher fines. Schools must always report violence and bullying. Offenders should have to leave the school. Some schools should have checks at the entrance.

Fines for parents of children who are absent without permission would rise; in serious cases the youth welfare office would withdraw custody. The platform argues that persistent truancy promotes juvenile delinquency. Attacks on teachers as well as violence and bullying would have to be recorded and reported to the school authority. Offenders would be expelled and placed in special schools for students with behavioral problems, where they complete anti-aggression or social training. After repeated violent offenses, at least random entrance checks would aim to keep weapons out of the school.

The BIW wants a first degree to stay free of tuition but would again charge long-term students. People over 55 starting a second degree would also pay. In addition, all faculties would introduce entrance exams and a test after the first semester.

A first degree in Bremen should stay free. People who study for a very long time should pay fees again. This also applies to a second degree from age 55. There should be an exam before starting. Another test follows after the first semester.

The fees scrapped in 2020 would return for students who take considerably longer than the standard period of study. The same would apply to people over 55 who begin a second degree. Every faculty at universities and universities of applied sciences would hold entrance exams, plus an aptitude test after the first semester. The BIW justifies this with better-suited first-year students and fewer dropouts.

The BIW wants to create a dedicated Gymnasium for highly gifted young people in Bremen. At the same time, struggling learners would get extra tutoring and homework help in all-day schools across the state. A volunteer network of learning and reading mentors would add to this.

The BIW wants a special Gymnasium for very gifted young people. Children with learning problems should get extra lessons. There should be help with homework. Volunteer mentors should help children with learning and reading.

In the BIW's view, highly gifted students should be systematically promoted as an educational elite rather than getting lost in large schools. For struggling learners, the platform plans subject-specific tutoring on top of regular lessons and homework help within all-day care. Volunteer mentors would each support one or two children, especially from disadvantaged families. For children with a migration background, mentors would help with learning German and act as guides linking parents and school.