As of: February 26, 2024, 6:00 p.m
By: Wolfgang Gösweiner
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Tablets for the Rottenbuch primary school?
This question caused a lot of discussion in the local council.
© Armin Weigel/DPA
Are tablets a blessing or a curse for elementary school students?
Opinions differed on this question at the most recent meeting of the Rottenbuch local council when it came to the purchase of the devices requested by the parents' council.
At the end of a controversial discussion there was a very close decision.
Rottenbuch – For the second time, the topic of “tablets for primary school students” was on the agenda of the Rottenbuch local council.
After a majority of the councilors spoke out against the purchase in November, the parents' council made a new attempt and offered the community a cost subsidy of 500 euros.
Since the investment is supported by the state as part of the digitalization offensive, the municipality only has to shell out ten percent of the costs anyway.
“We have an overwhelming majority of parents behind us,” complained Stefanie Durach, chairwoman of the parents’ council, in her statement.
“Whether we like it or not, digital media are an integral part of our society.
If we turn a blind eye to this development, we are ruining the future for our children.” Durach pointed out that the tablets would not be used for entertainment, but for learning.
“The teacher determines how often and for what the devices are used in class.” If used appropriately, they would significantly improve student performance.
“First learn to write, read and count.”
An argument that local councilor Alfred Speer cast doubt on: “The devices only distract the children.
In primary school they should first learn to write, read and calculate.” In this context, Speer recalls the introduction of the pocket calculator.
“You only have to look at how bad today’s youth are at mental arithmetic.
Why?
Because the calculator does the work for them!”
Mayor Markus Bader took a similar line and referred to a scientific study, according to which digitalization in the classroom was being scaled back in countries such as Sweden and Finland because a significant drop in children's performance was found.
At the same time, he admitted that the use of tablets was planned by the Ministry of Culture.
This puts the community in a quandary.
Battle vote brings narrow result
Another councilor pointed out that teachers were expressly instructed to train children in how to use the devices, to prevent misuse and to supervise the students' usage behavior.
“Too much screen work poses a health risk.
But in the right dosage, the little ones enjoy learning more with the tablet.”
In the end, in a vote, six councilors voted for and five against the purchase of the tablets.
A wafer-thin majority in an emotional but fair debate.
In the end, the community even decided to cover the entire acquisition costs.
“The money is not the point,” summarized Alfred Speer.
What divided opinions was the question of the benefits of such a purchase.
By Wolfgang Gösweiner
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