Key takeaways:

1. The physical environment of a school has an indirect impact on learning, according to scientists.
2. Many schools in Germany are in a state of disrepair, with marode buildings and poor conditions.
3. The responsibility for school buildings lies with the municipalities or districts, which often lack the necessary financial resources.

Impact of physical environment on learning #

• Scientists have shown that the physical environment of a school has an indirect impact on learning.
• A dilapidated or marode environment can negatively affect students' motivation and concentration.

Poor condition of German schools #

• Many schools in Germany are in a state of disrepair, with marode buildings, broken windows, and damp conditions.
• Students are often unenthusiastic about the conditions in which they have to learn every day.
• A study by the KfW (Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau) found that the investment backlog in German schools amounts to 45 billion euros.

Responsibility for school buildings #

• According to Article 7(1) of the German Basic Law, the state is responsible for the school system.
• However, education is a state matter in Germany, and the federal government has little influence on it.
• Responsibility for school buildings lies with the municipalities or districts, which often lack the necessary financial resources.

Recommendations #

• Scientists recommend that school buildings should be regularly maintained and modernized to provide a good learning environment.
• The federal government should provide more financial support to municipalities and districts to enable them to invest in school buildings.

"Schulgebäude haben einen indirekten Einfluss auf das Lernen der Kinder." -- Scientists

"Der Investitionsstau an deutschen Schulen beträgt 45 Milliarden Euro." -- KfW study

"Bildung ist Ländersache." -- German Basic Law

"Die Zuständigkeit für Schulgebäude liegt bei den Kommunen oder Landkreisen." -- German system

Summary #

Impact of Physical Environment on Learning #

• Research indicates that a student's immediate environment influences their learning.

Condition of School Buildings in Germany #

• Many school buildings in Germany are dilapidated and have an indirect negative impact on children's learning.
• The video features a particularly run-down school in Berlin as an example.

Reasons for Poor Condition of Schools #

• Responsibility for school buildings lies with the federal states, which often lack funds for maintenance and renovation.
• The federation cannot directly finance school buildings, but it can provide targeted funds, e.g., for digitization.

Consequences of Poor Learning Environment #

• A poor learning environment can lead to lower motivation and worse academic performance among students.
• Students may also feel less welcome and less willing to take care of their school.

Suggestions for Improvement #

• The federal government could provide more targeted funding for school maintenance and renovation.
• School buildings should signal a welcoming culture to make students feel more comfortable and more willing to learn.

"School buildings have an indirect impact on children's learning." - Ulrike Statler Altmann, education scientist

"In schools, less damage is caused when everything is in order." - Teachers interviewed in the video

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