Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs
The work of the Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs focuses on school policy in Bavaria, from primary schools, secondary and vocational schools to adult education and political education.
The committe on Education and Cultural Affairs is one of the Bavarian State Parliament's 14 standing committees with a total of 18 members of Parliament: eight CSU members, three members from Alliance 90/The Greens (GRU), two memebers each from the FREIE WÄHLER (FW), AfD and SPD and one member from FDP.
The committee's remit largely corresponds to that of the Bavarian State Ministry of Education, whose work is monitored, supported and followed by the committee. This includes all matters relating to students, teachers, work with parents, curricula and internal school development. The qualification of educational staff and school financing also play an important role.
The education committee is responsible for advising on laws and motions. Reforms that significantly change school life are largely reflected in the Bavarian Education Act (BayEUG), which regulates the entire Bavarian school system. One of the committee's main tasks is to constantly adapt this law as necessary. For example, the new nine-year grammar school was introduced by a change in the BayEUG. The joint teaching of children with and without special educational needs (inclusion) is also anchored in the BayEUG. The UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities has been implemented as a result. The Committee will monitor further developments.
Challenges for the next few years also include: further expansion of all-day offers and all-day schools, equal educational opportunities in towns and rural regions, systematic support for the new nine-year grammar school and good integration of children with a migration background. The promotion of adult learning is another important topic of the committee. It regularly hears experts to gain a balanced view of opinions. Finally, the committee deals with many citizens’ petitions that fall within its area of responsibility. However, associations and other interest groups also often submit their requests and suggestions for improvements to the committee in the form of petitions.
