Comenius Week: Diversity and inclusion in the focus of education!

Comenius Week: Diversity and inclusion in the focus of education!

The 18th edition of the Comenius Week at the PH Schwäbisch Gmünd, which took place at the beginning of April, was dedicated to the topics of multilingualism, diversity and inclusion in European education. This important event brought together teachers and students from different countries to promote international exchange in teacher training and to explore the differences and similarities between European education systems. Participants from Belgium, the Netherlands, Great Britain, Norway, Spain, Italy, Switzerland and the PH Schwäbisch Gmünd discussed current challenges and solutions in the school context. Guest students from almost every continent were also there, which underlined the international flair of the week. PH Gmünd reports that inclusion in school lessons is a central point of discussion.

The Comenius Week program included not only specialist lectures and workshops, but also a German course and a visit to the State Gallery in Stuttgart. An intercultural city rally enabled participants to discover the diversity of Schwäbisch Gmünd. Particularly noteworthy were the class visits to daycare centers and schools in the city, which gave the participants a deep insight into the German school system. The students, who stayed with their PH fellow students, had the opportunity to directly experience everyday life. Dr. Monika Becker, head of the International Office, emphasized the importance of personal contacts for the internationalization of the university and the teacher training course.

Focus on long-term perspectives and projects

The main goal of Comenius Week is to stimulate interest in longer stays abroad. Some participants are already planning a semester at a partner university. The “Comenius Association” aims to strengthen the exchange of students within Europe and promote internationalization in teacher training. The importance of international networking for future teachers is undisputed, especially in an increasingly globalizing educational context.

Another research topic that is relevant in this context are the challenges in the education system, especially for children with a migrant background. Loud bpb Educational success often depends on early assignment to different educational programs, which can put children of migrants at a disadvantage. Studies show that children from socially privileged families have better chances of higher education, while children with a migrant background often do worse. This is due to various factors including language skills and inadequate interaction with locals.

Education as the key to integration

A central concern of education policy should be to improve equal opportunities for all students. Laws and measures must aim to promote the integration of migrant children in the education system. Experts advocate emphasizing early childhood education to support the cognitive development of migrant children. Comenius Week offers an important forum to exchange ideas and strategies, which can draw in particular from the experiences of other European countries such as France, where, for example, targeted measures in the ZEPs (Zones d'Education Prioritaire) have successfully contributed to equal opportunities.

In summary, it can be said that the Comenius Week at the PH Schwäbisch Gmünd is an important step towards promoting the internationalization of teacher training and improving the educational situation of migrant children in Europe. These events help to break down language barriers and highlight values ​​such as diversity and inclusion, which is of great importance for the future of European education. The exchange and networking between the various actors is essential in order to sustainably overcome the challenges in the education sector.