Hamburg’s Education Senator, Ksenija Bekeris, has voiced opposition to proposals for quotas mandating the inclusion of children with immigrant backgrounds in German schools. Speaking to “Der Spiegel”, she described the concept as “fundamentally wrong” and potentially divisive.
Bekeris emphasized the logistical challenges of implementing such a system, particularly within urban environments. “In large cities, the proportion of children and young people with immigrant backgrounds often exceeds 50 percent” she stated. “Where would we even find the children to achieve this mixing?
Addressing concerns regarding learning difficulties, Bekeris argued that the issue stems primarily from inadequate German language proficiency and a lack of foundational knowledge common among many students at the start of their education. She underscored that this challenge is not limited to children with immigrant backgrounds.
Beyond language assessments and mandatory early childhood education for children requiring additional support, Bekeris pointed to the vital role of housing and social policies in preventing localized concentrations of educational challenges. Instead of requiring students to travel to different districts in the name of greater integration, she advocated for comprehensive urban development strategies.
As an example, Bekeris highlighted the complexities of refugee placement, questioning whether it would be preferable to house refugees in areas already experiencing significant immigration or in more affluent, predominantly German-heritage districts. She suggested that meaningful integration begins with such considerations.
