Commence of Academic Year: Restrictions and Possible Lesson Suspensions - Commencement of academic year: imposed sanctions and potential expulsion of non-attending students
In the upcoming school year, starting August 18, 2020, Hesse schools will implement a series of new regulations aimed at creating a safer and more focused learning environment. These measures include a ban on mobile phones during school hours, a comprehensive weapons ban, and ongoing concerns about a teacher shortage.
The mobile phone ban is designed to reduce distractions and improve concentration for students, aligning with efforts to enhance health literacy and well-being by minimizing digital distractions in classrooms. However, it's important to note that children can still be reached through the school office, and smartphones, tablets, and smartwatches can still be brought to school if they have tickets or necessary health apps.
Schools in Hesse have reinforced prohibitions against carrying weapons to ensure safety on campus. This contributes to a secure environment, which is a critical foundation for positive mental health among students.
However, there are ongoing worries about a shortage of qualified teachers in Hesse, which could impact the quality of education and increase stress for both students and staff. This shortage may strain the ability to provide adequate mental health support and individualized attention to students.
Regarding student mental health, these measures have mixed impacts. The mobile phone ban can reduce distractions, potentially improving focus and reducing digital stress. However, it may also limit access to supportive social connections and resources available via phones, so mental health outcomes depend on implementation and support.
The weapons ban promotes safety and reduces anxiety related to violence, which positively affects mental well-being. On the other hand, teacher shortages can negatively affect student mental health by increasing classroom sizes, reducing personalized support, and possibly leading to a more stressful school atmosphere.
There is ongoing discourse about how schools integrate health literacy, including mental health education, which remains variable according to recent studies on organizational health literacy in German schools. The GEW, a teachers' union, has criticized the new regulation as a "prejudice-driven image that stigmatizes a part of the student body."
The GEW also expects an increase in class cancellations in the coming school year due to the teacher shortage. They advocate for a wealth tax that benefits education to ensure better funding for Hesse schools in the future.
The student body criticizes the ban, believing it does not solve the problems caused by mobile phones in school. Some parents criticize that they will no longer be able to reach their children, while others support the ban. Opinions on the ban are widely divided among parents and students.
It's important to note that approximately 160,000 children and young people in Hesse struggle with psychological problems. Mental health is considered as important as math and German, according to Laurenz Spies, the State school speaker. School must be a place of support, not one that exacerbates the situation through increasing performance pressure, according to Laurenz Spies.
Inequalities arise from different investments in school buildings in various municipalities. Hesse faces a severe teacher shortage, with 10,000 full-time positions missing. The ban is intended to protect against disruptive content and promote concentration and social interaction.
[1] For more information on organizational health literacy in German schools, please refer to recent studies.
Vocational training is essential for ongoing education and self-development in the context of politics and general news. The implementation of vocational training programs in Hesse schools could potentially provide students with a positive outlet, helping to mitigate the negative impacts of a potentially stressful school environment due to issues such as teacher shortages and distractions from mobile phone usage.
In light of the ongoing concerns about a teacher shortage and the subsequent potential impacts on the quality of education, it would be beneficial to consider incorporating vocational training programs into the curriculum as a means of addressing this issue and providing students with valuable skills for their future. This approach could also contribute to a more focused and engaging learning environment, thus benefiting the mental well-being of students.
