Freie Wähler on education

The Free Voters want to keep Bavaria's three-track school system and all existing school locations. School buildings are to be renovated and new ones built where needed.

Bavaria has different types of schools. The Free Voters want to keep it that way. No school should close. Run-down schools should be fixed quickly.

The program lists keeping every school location and the ability to switch between school types as goals. Dilapidated buildings are to be renovated quickly and missing schools built. Independent schools and their operators are to get more funding. Travel to school is to be free from the first kilometer, and the Wirtschaftsschule (business-oriented secondary school) is to start in grade 5. Curricula are to be reviewed and trimmed to free up time for core subjects and practical content such as filing a tax return. The Mittelschule (lower secondary track) is to receive special support, and school social work and civic education are to be expanded.

The Free Voters want to make the A13 pay grade the starting salary for teachers at all school types and secure enough new teachers. Teachers are also to get permanent jobs and be supported by additional staff.

The Free Voters want more teachers for Bavaria. All teachers should earn the same at the start. They should get permanent jobs. Other helpers should also work in schools.

A13 is to be the starting pay grade at every school type. The program calls for permanent positions in place of fixed-term contracts. Teacher training is to become more flexible and practical, with more weight on inclusion, integration and digital skills; internships are to keep teachers in touch with business. Administrative and school assistants are to be hired and multi-professional teams used at all school types. Limits on extra earnings for retired teachers are to be dropped. Schools and principals are to get more autonomy.

The Free Voters want to expand adult education and create a legal entitlement to educational leave. The program justifies this with a working world that is changing ever faster.

Work is changing fast. So adults should be able to keep learning. The Free Voters want to spend more money on this. There should be a right to educational leave. That is time off work for learning.

According to the program, adult education should be a central part of the education landscape. Courses are to be available close to home and geared to demand. The law on funding adult education is to be developed further and funding increased. Educational leave is to be written into law.

The Free Voters want to raise base funding for universities and change BAföG (federal student aid) so that more students get more money. Bavaria is to stay at the top in higher education and research.

The Free Voters want more money for universities. More students should get BAföG. BAföG is money from the state for studying. There should also be more affordable housing for students.

Every bachelor's graduate should be able to start a master's program, and Diplom degree programs are to return. Mid-level academic staff are to be paid better and get permanent posts in place of fixed-term contracts. The program wants to expand digital teaching and research formats and lecture streaming. Part-time and work-study programs are to grow without tuition fees. Added to this are affordable student housing, more support for student services organizations and more decentralized university sites.

The Free Voters want to expand digital education from elementary school through university. Information and communication technology is to become a compulsory subject at secondary schools, while analog learning content is to remain alongside it.

Students should learn more about computers and the internet. At secondary schools this should be a required subject. Teachers should also learn it in their training. The state should help pay for devices.

Digital education is to become a mandatory part of teacher training. Digital learning formats are to be used permanently in schools and universities, and digital and media skills promoted in all school types. The program also provides for a digital continuing-education strategy, more digital vocational training and updated study and exam concepts. Learners and teachers are to get help buying devices. Municipalities are to keep receiving support for buying and maintaining the equipment.

The Free Voters want to make master craftsman training and further training free in Bavaria and largely remove costs from vocational education overall. The program regards vocational and academic education as equal in value.

People who want to become master craftsmen should not pay for it. The Free Voters say an apprenticeship is worth as much as a degree. Vocational schools should get better equipment. The state should promote apprenticeships.

Vocational schools are to be upgraded and better equipped. Career orientation at secondary schools is to grow, and study and career counselors are to receive systematic further training. The program plans a state image campaign for dual vocational training. Support for disadvantaged young people entering work is to be kept permanently. English is to become a compulsory subject in all training occupations, and teaching at vocational schools is to become more attractive.