Inclusion in the education system: AfD decidedly rejects criticism of your concept

21. Oktober 2024

Sophie Müller

Artikel als PDF

Kommentare

Diesen Artikel teilen:

The topic of inclusion in education is again the focus of the political discussion in Baden-Württemberg. The educational policy AfD parliamentary group spokesman Dr. Rainer Balzer referred to the statements by Simone Fischer, the state disabled person, as "Fakenews". Balzer emphasizes that the AfD is aiming for an inclusion that is based on the needs of students with physical restrictions, but at the same time wants to avoid overwhelming classmates and teachers in regular schools. The AfD sees specialized special schools as a better way to implement inclusion and criticizes the idea of an inclusive education for mentally disabled students as not expedient.

The debate about inclusion is not new. A legal framework was created with the UN Convention on the Rights of Disabilities in 2009, which strengthens the participation of people with disabilities in education and society. In 2012, the “Act to Promote Inclusion in the Education System” was adopted in Baden-Württemberg, which provides for the expansion of inclusive structures. Nevertheless, the practical implementation remains controversial. While many teachers and parents emphasize the advantages of inclusion, there are also concerns about the burden of regular schools and the individual promotion of students with special needs.

A look at Stuttgart shows how diverse the challenges are. Numerous people with disabilities live in the state capital, and the schools are required to develop including concepts that meet the different requirements. The city has already taken various measures to promote education, including training for teachers and the provision of resources for pupils.

In order to better understand the different perspectives on inclusion in Stuttgart, we consider some relevant facts in the following table:

aspect	Details
pupils with disabilities (2023)	approx. 4,500 students in Stuttgart attend special schools, while around 1,200 students are taught in inclusive classes.
Costs of inclusion	The implementation of inclusion programs causes annual additional costs of around 20 million euros for the city of Stuttgart.
teachers	Average class size in inclusive classes: 25 students; Average relationship with students: 1:15.
public opinion	surveys show that 70% of children without disabilities perceive inclusion as positive, while 50% of the parents of children express concerns with disabilities.

In view of this information, it becomes clear that the discussion about inclusion in Stuttgart is not just a political debate, but one that requires deep understanding of the needs of all students. While some political voices are calling for a return to specialized special schools, many people are behind the idea that including education can increase the chance of equality and participation for all children. Ultimately, the challenge will be to find a balance between the needs of different students and at the same time to maintain the quality standards in education.

Source: AfD parliamentary group in the state parliament of Baden-Württemberg/OTS