Baden-Württemberg and Rhineland-Palatinate Deepen Cooperation on Digital Education Platform
On September 7, 2023, Baden-Württemberg’s Minister of Education, Theresa Schopper, and Rhineland-Palatinate’s Minister of Education, Dr. Stefanie Hubig, signed a cooperation agreement at the Marchivum in Mannheim. The agreement aims to strengthen collaboration in the field of digitization. Both states, Baden-Württemberg and Rhineland-Palatinate, are actively working on the establishment of a Digital Education Platform as part of the ongoing digitization efforts in schools. This platform will consist of an identity and access management system, as well as other connected digital applications. Through their previous collaboration, it became evident that both states face similar technical challenges. The cooperation agreement enables the pooling of resources to solve these challenges and facilitate processes.
The signing of the cooperation agreement marks an important milestone in the joint efforts of Baden-Württemberg and Rhineland-Palatinate. Minister Theresa Schopper states, „Digitization in schools is a marathon, not a sprint. Our ministries are tackling similar challenges. By working together, we can turn it into a relay race.“ The cooperation agreement has several objectives. Firstly, it aims to facilitate the exchange of knowledge to meet the complex requirements of digital education. Secondly, it seeks to consolidate the results of previous and future work processes. This means that both states can identify a need for development in a jointly used software, and subsequently initiate the necessary optimization measures to ensure that both states are always up to date as quickly as possible.
The choice of location for the signing of the agreement reflects its content. The Marchivum, with its nearly fully digitized offerings and opportunities for interactive exploration of Mannheim’s history, provides a glimpse into what will be possible in the field of museum education in the future. The Mayor of Mannheim, Christian Specht, welcomes the cooperation agreement, stating, „The collaboration between the two states gives a boost to digitization in schools. Practical opportunities arise not only in terms of knowledge transfer but also as a platform for interdisciplinary teaching and exchange between schools, students, and parents. Thus, digitization can also contribute to more educational equity.“
The next step will be regular meetings to exchange ideas and discuss future actions. Additionally, other states have the opportunity to join the cooperation agreement. Minister Schopper and Minister Dr. Hubig look forward optimistically, Dr. Stefanie Hubig says, „With this cooperation agreement, we are consolidating the important dialogue between our states. At the same time, we are curious to see where today’s signatures will lead us – if other states are interested, we are open to discussions.“
Through this collaboration, Baden-Württemberg and Rhineland-Palatinate are taking a significant step towards enhancing digital education in their respective states. By pooling their resources and jointly tackling technical challenges, they aim to create a successful model for other states to follow.
