Dresden, Germany – Saxony’s innovative “Ganztagspiloten” (All-Day Pilots) program, designed to better integrate school and after-school care, has been extended for another school year. Launched in 2022, the initiative aims to improve educational outcomes by fostering closer collaboration between teachers and childcare professionals, ultimately creating a more cohesive and supportive learning environment for students. This extension underscores the growing recognition of the benefits of all-day education models and the importance of coordinated support systems for children’s development.
The core principle behind Ganztagspiloten is to move beyond the traditional separation of classroom learning and afternoon supervision. Currently, the program is being piloted at eleven locations across Saxony, encompassing eight primary schools, two special education centers, and one secondary school. The goal is to create a more seamless transition between these phases of the school day, ensuring that learning is reinforced and that students receive consistent support. This approach recognizes that a child’s educational journey doesn’t end when the school bell rings, and that a holistic approach to education is crucial for success.
Enhancing Collaboration: The Key to Saxony’s Ganztagspiloten Program
According to Saxony’s State Minister for Cults, Conrad Clemens (CDU), the initial results of the program have been promising. “The clever integration of school and after-school care gives our students a strong boost,” Clemens stated. This sentiment highlights the program’s focus on providing students with a more comprehensive and supportive educational experience. The program’s success hinges on the increased communication and cooperation between educators and childcare workers, allowing for a more tailored and responsive approach to each student’s needs.
The implementation of the Ganztagspiloten project is being scientifically monitored by the Center for Research, Further Education and Consulting at the Evangelical University of Dresden (EHS Dresden). EHS Dresden’s involvement ensures that the program is rigorously evaluated and that best practices are identified and disseminated. This scientific backing is crucial for informing future policy decisions and scaling up the program to other schools across the state. The university’s research will help to determine the long-term impact of the program on student achievement, well-being, and social-emotional development.
The extension of the project was made possible by the passage of the current double budget, supported by votes from the Left and Green factions in the Saxon state parliament. This demonstrates a cross-party commitment to improving educational opportunities for children in Saxony. Beginning in August, children attending primary schools in Saxony will have a legal right to all-day care, a significant step towards ensuring equitable access to quality education and childcare. This legal entitlement is a direct result of the growing recognition of the importance of all-day education and the need to support working families.
Addressing Structural Challenges in Saxony’s All-Day Education System
While the Ganztagspiloten program represents a positive step forward, the Green Party faction in the Saxon Landtag has emphasized the need for broader systemic improvements. Christin Melcher, the Green Party’s education policy spokesperson, argues that more attention needs to be paid to the challenges facing all-day education beyond the scope of the pilot projects. Specifically, Melcher highlighted the need for greater professionalization of staff and the strengthening of cooperative structures between youth welfare services (Hort), schools, and extracurricular learning locations. The Saxon State School website details the project and its goals.
The call for increased professional development for staff reflects a recognition that effective all-day education requires a highly skilled and dedicated workforce. This includes providing educators and childcare workers with the training and resources they need to address the diverse needs of students and to implement innovative pedagogical approaches. Strengthening cooperative structures between different stakeholders is too essential for creating a seamless and integrated learning experience for students. This requires breaking down silos and fostering a culture of collaboration and shared responsibility.
The Role of the Evangelical University of Dresden in Program Evaluation
The Evangelical University of Dresden plays a pivotal role in the scientific evaluation of the Ganztagspiloten project. The university’s Center for Research, Further Education and Consulting is responsible for collecting and analyzing data from the pilot sites, assessing the program’s impact on student outcomes, and identifying areas for improvement. This research is crucial for informing the development of scalable models that can be implemented in other schools across Saxony. The university’s expertise in educational research and its close collaboration with schools and childcare providers make it an ideal partner for this important initiative.
A Fachtag (specialist day) event, titled “Veränderungslust statt Frust” (Desire for Change instead of Frustration), was hosted by EHS Dresden in September 2023, bringing together school and Hort leaders and professionals dedicated to advancing all-day schooling. The event, led by systemic management coach Stefan Clotz, focused on identifying the characteristics of a successful all-day school and fostering a positive and collaborative environment for all stakeholders. This event underscores the importance of ongoing professional development and knowledge sharing in the field of all-day education.
Looking Ahead: Scaling Up All-Day Education in Saxony
The extension of the Ganztagspiloten program and the introduction of a legal right to all-day care for primary school children represent significant milestones in Saxony’s efforts to improve educational opportunities for its students. However, challenges remain. Addressing the structural issues identified by the Green Party, such as the need for greater professionalization of staff and stronger cooperative structures, will be crucial for ensuring the long-term success of all-day education in the state. Continued investment in research and evaluation will be essential for identifying best practices and adapting the program to meet the evolving needs of students and families.
The success of the Ganztagspiloten project could serve as a model for other states in Germany and beyond. The program’s focus on collaboration, integration, and scientific evaluation offers a promising approach to addressing the challenges of providing high-quality all-day education. As more and more countries recognize the importance of supporting children’s development beyond the traditional school day, initiatives like Ganztagspiloten will become increasingly important.
The next key development to watch for will be the release of the full evaluation report from the Evangelical University of Dresden, expected in late 2026, which will provide a comprehensive assessment of the program’s impact and inform future policy decisions. The ongoing dialogue between policymakers, educators, and childcare professionals will also be crucial for shaping the future of all-day education in Saxony. We encourage readers to share their thoughts and experiences with all-day education in the comments below.