A proposal by Education Minister Karin Prien to introduce migration quotas in German schools has met with strong opposition from various political factions and education bodies. Jasmina Hostert, spokesperson for education policy for the SPD parliamentary group, rejected the suggestion, emphasizing the need for support for all children regardless of their background. She stated that the introduction of quotas or similar models is unacceptable, advocating instead for early language support and expansion of programs designed to enhance opportunities for all children.
The Left party also voiced disapproval, questioning the practical implementation of the proposal. Nicole Gohlke, the party’s spokesperson for education policy, highlighted challenges in urban areas with high concentrations of children from families with migration backgrounds, arguing that a blanket quota would fail to address the root causes and would merely obscure political shortcomings.
While Anja Weisgerber (CSU), deputy chair of the CDU/CSU parliamentary group responsible for education, expressed understanding of the pressures on the education system, citing strains from recent high levels of migration, she stressed the importance of early and consistent language support, aligning with existing coalition agreements. She suggested learning from the experiences of other nations facing similar challenges.
The German Teachers’ Association questioned the feasibility of such quotas, noting that practical limitations would arise, particularly in urban areas where the proportion of students with migration backgrounds can be exceptionally high. They underscored the importance of prioritizing early and targeted language support rather than implementing fixed quotas.
Andreas Schleicher, Director for Education and Skills at the OECD, acknowledged that studies supported the idea of quotas, pointing to research indicating that the concentration of students with migration backgrounds can significantly impact educational outcomes. He suggested that systems distributing these students more evenly across schools could offer a distinct advantage.
