Beyond the already controversial suspension of admission to integration courses, the federal government appears to be planning additional reductions in educational offerings for newcomers. According to the “Westdeutsche Allgemeine Zeitung”, these proposed cuts include lowering the required language proficiency from B1 to A2 for students deemed less proficient. Local Adult Education Centers (VHS) argue that such a reduction would impede the ability of immigrants to integrate into the job market.
Klaus Hebborn, President of the NRW State Association of VHS, warned that these measures “massively weaken proven integration structures”. He addressed the state in a statement, arguing that the limitations contradict the government’s stated efforts to boost the labor market. He stressed, “In the interest of Germany’s economic development, we demand the lifting of the admission freeze and a retreat from all considerations that further weaken the integration course”.
The criticisms levied by the VHS are based on “guiding questions” being discussed within a federal commission tasked with reviewing integration courses, details of which were obtained by the WAZ. These discussions advocate for “digital self-learning phases” without direct instruction, shrinking hours in literacy programs, and questioning the relevance of the final “Living in Germany” test (a test covering topics such as German politics, religious diversity, and equality).
The VHS in North Rhine-Westphalia interpret these suggestions as a direct attack on the entire integration course system. They contend that the language goal level should be lowered from B1 to A2, and that parts of the curriculum should be replaced by online courses. Furthermore, the foundational Orientation Course-where newcomers learn about German society and legal structures-is reportedly unstable.
These issues build on a larger context: earlier this year, the federal government announced that many newcomers would no longer be granted admission to integration courses. This freeze particularly affects asylum seekers, those in “tolerated” asylum statuses, Ukrainian refugees, and EU citizens such as Romanians and Bulgarians. The government has attributed these cuts to financial pressures, stating that the federal budget can no longer sustain the current levels of funding.
