The Rhineland-Palatinate’s Minister for Education, Sven Teuber, is advocating for a reduction in academic pressure within the school system. Addressing concerns particularly prevalent in primary and lower secondary grades (classes one to eight), the Minister expressed his belief that constant testing and written examinations are detrimental to student development.
Teuber, in an interview with “Die Zeit” emphasized the need for educators to prioritize individualized feedback and focus on fostering students’ personal growth. He voiced his disapproval of unannounced assessments, stating that graded, spontaneous tests generate unnecessary stress for pupils. Citing research in learning science, he highlighted the negative impact of pressure and anxiety on the learning process.
The Minister is proposing a shift in the traditional testing and examination culture, with assessments tailored to each student’s individual learning pace. He suggested a system where students might opt to take examinations only when they feel confident in their understanding of the material.
Rhineland-Palatinate has been actively pursuing educational reform through the “School of the Future” initiative since 2021. This program grants greater autonomy to teaching staff in areas like curriculum design and student evaluation. “We need to transform the school environment to better serve the needs of our students” the Education Minister concluded.
