All-day guarantee in Bavaria: What challenges await schools?

All-day guarantee in Bavaria: What challenges await schools?

The Bavarian education system is heading for fundamental change. From the 2026/27 school year, the all-day guarantee will come into force, which will pose a significant challenge for many municipalities and primary schools. The aim of this initiative is to significantly increase the need for full-day places - specifically by around 130,000 additional places by the 2029/30 school year. This ad from the Süddeutsche Zeitung reported, is accompanied by concerns. Above all, the end of the bound all-day system (GGTS) ​​raises questions.

Simone Fleischmann, President of the Bavarian Teachers' Association (BLLV), expresses her regret about this development. She was a driving force behind the GGTS concept, which provides children with consistent lessons in fixed class groups. The pedagogical concept has proven itself and particularly promotes children with deficits and their personal development. Through the GGTS, children not only receive solid cognitive support, but also strengthen their social skills. In addition, the offer is closely linked to sports clubs and external experts.

Challenges for schools and communities

The introduction of the all-day guarantee also brings with it a number of practical questions. It must be ensured that there are sufficient rooms and support staff to meet the new requirements. Financing also remains a sensitive issue: There are already concerns about a slow drawdown of 461 million euros in federal funds, as a request from the SPD made clear.

Another problem seems to be the changing image of parenthood. GGTS is increasingly perceived as an offer for disadvantaged children, which could affect general acceptance and interest in this important form of education. This change in attitude could have a negative impact on the stability of primary school students' transfer grades, which have so far remained fairly consistent despite all the challenges.

The bound full day in detail

The fixed full day, as Bavaria knows it, is geared towards the individual support of the students, with the hours being structured continuously from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Teaching in all-day classes ensures that the students have a good balance between compulsory subjects, practice phases and creative activities. This also includes sporting, musical and artistic activities that make everyday school life diverse and give the children space for personal growth.

The question remains whether the all-day guarantee can actually raise the required awareness of the care needs in Bavaria. Critics like Fleischmann express doubts that a uniform educational policy project can easily be implemented in a federal system without adequate resources and clear concepts. Nevertheless, the guarantee effort could perhaps also be seen as an opportunity to address existing grievances and optimize the quality of care.

How developments will unfold in the coming years remains to be seen. However, it is clear that both municipalities and schools are required to actively participate in shaping the future educational landscape. For many it is still unclear what they will have to adapt to and how they can make the best of the new situation.