Saxony Wants to Block the Equal Opportunity Act in the Bundesrat

Saxony wants to block the federal government’s so-called “Startchancen- und Qualitätsentwicklungsgesetz” (Law on Equal Opportunities and Quality Development) aimed at improving care in daycare centers. If the Bundestag passes the law, Saxony will appeal to the Mediation Committee, Education Minister Conrad Clemens (CDU) made clear in the Bundestag. “We will not approve this law (...) Get a move on. Despite budget shortfalls and major cost-cutting efforts in recent weeks, there was plenty of money for a gas rebate for drivers. And I’d like to say that early childhood educators deserve a ‘thank-you’ rebate.”

“(...) if you decide here in this chamber that there should be higher standards, that there should be these special requirements, that early childhood educators should be expected to work harder, then you must also pay them,” Clemens explained to the members of parliament. 

Language tests for all four-year-olds and targeted support in daycare centers

Federal Education Minister Karin Prien (CDU) presented the draft of the new Daycare Act this summer. It aims to establish more uniform standards nationwide in early childhood education and daycare. With language tests for all four-year-olds and targeted support in daycare centers, she hopes to bring about a turnaround in education policy. The law is intended to ease children’s transition to elementary school. Daycare centers with a particularly high proportion of children in difficult life situations are to receive additional staff.

“Early childhood educators do amazing work every day, from early morning to late at night, with patience, passion, and a great sense of responsibility,” the minister emphasized. Starting conditions vary greatly. It’s not just about language. “We face major challenges with number sense, but also with movement, motor skills, and athletic abilities. It cannot be overstated.”

“This is probably the first time in human history that a young generation is at risk of being weaker in key core competencies than its predecessors,” the minister warned. That is why it is right to act now. “We need to invest more in early childhood education.”

“This won’t work”

“This idea of ‘start-chance’ daycare centers is a good one, and I appreciate the direction this law is taking. And yet, as a representative of the states, I must pour cold water on the idea,” Clemens continued. In the past, the federal government had made two billion euros available to the states and municipalities for this purpose. Now, that amount is to be cut in half over the next ten years. “This won’t work, ladies and gentlemen of the Bundestag.”