Kultusministerium

The Kultusministerium (Ministry of Education) of the German state of Hessen is currently facing criticism for its decision to discontinue the "Digitale Welt" (Digital World) program as a regular school subject. This program, piloted in 80 schools, aimed to integrate digital education into the curriculum. Instead of making it a mandatory subject, the ministry is transitioning it into a voluntary afternoon program within the Ganztagsprogramm (all-day program). This move has sparked outrage among teachers, who view it as a setback for digital literacy and media education, especially in the context of increasing importance of artificial intelligence. Critics argue that downgrading the program undermines efforts to equip students with essential digital skills and represents a missed opportunity to establish Hessen as a leader in digital education.