In the coming year, the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research plans to invest more money in education and research. In 2013, approximately 1.85 billion Euro are to be allocated for the promotion of teaching and studying. At the same time, the BAFöG student loans are to be adjusted to meet the increased demands. With these measures, the federal government intends to also counteract the currently steadily increasing skilled labour shortage.
Federal Minister Annette Schavan clearly stressed the fact that the promotion of these fields constitutes an important measure in rendering Germany fit for the future. The federal government therefore intends to continue to support both highly gifted students and disadvantaged children and young people. Moreover, occupational education is to receive increased funding.
In the next year, the federal government thus intends to allocate about a quarter more funds for strengthening continuing education than were allocated in this year for the same purpose. Approximately, the budget will include an additional 169 million Euro for this purpose. Likewise, the total education budget will significantly increase in the coming year.
This increase in spending does not only affect those entering into a career. Rather, the funding effort is to include children as early as at kindergarten level. According to a new education report, more than 25 per cent of the under-three-year-olds currently are taken care of at corresponding institutions.
By now, attending a day-care facility or comparable institution has become the norm for children between three and five years of age. Moreover, about half of all schools operate on a full-time basis, thereby providing also disadvantaged children and young people with an opportunity for equal chances.
The number of school graduates in itself is considered a success by the federal government. The number of young people without a school leaving certificate has again been lowered in particular in the case of secondary modern schools. At the same time, the level of education amongst women was significantly increased.
A particularly positive result is the increased number of first-time students and university graduates. According to data given by the education report, the positive aspects include also young people belonging to a risk group. However, the federal government agrees that further improvements are required here.