Another consequence of demographic developments – and I will say this cautiously since it is contested not least in economic circles – is the growing number of long-term care patients. Here, the need to do something is very obvious.
(applause among CDU/CSU Bundestag members – Hans-Günther Toetemeyer [SPD]: What caused that?)
– What do you want? I have announced that we will address this during this legislative period. We’re doing it.
(Hans-Günther Toetemeyer [SPD]: When?)
– I said in this legislative period. Of course I stand by our word. But I also said that it cannot mean a greater burden on the economy. Your heckling doesn’t impress me. You had more than enough time to do it.
(Wilhelm Schmidt of Salzgitter [SPD]: But so did you!)
– You did nothing between 1969 and 1982, although the demographic figures were the same as they are now. Ladies and gentlemen, any stocktaking must also include an account of the state of our educational system. Here, I would sincerely request that the discussion in Germany not be carried out in a manner that suggests that our federal structure forbids us from addressing this subject at the federal level because, as the argument goes, it is supposedly the responsibility of the federal states. Education and vocational training is a responsibility of the state as a whole, no matter how the constitution might distribute specific powers.
You and I also know that the issue of education and training is decisive for the future. Education and educational policy – I must add that immediately – should not be viewed solely in terms of economic benefit. In particular, education is tasked with forming personalities and expanding people’s intellectual horizons. Of course, it is also tasked with providing vocational qualifications.
If we take stock of this field in an objective manner – and I hope that you will at least agree with doing that – then we need to admit to misguided developments in the educational system. They include the imbalance between the various levels of education, the increased length of professional training, and the obvious shortcomings in educational effectiveness.
(Peter Conradi [SPD]: And the privatization of television!)
– What do you have against privatization in this context?
(interjection from the SPD: Who makes the television programs?)
– I can only say that I would have nothing against it, respected colleague, if you, for instance, were to open a private university in Stuttgart like the one in Witten-Herdecke. You are free to be as bold as you want to be.
We all know that acquired qualifications are becoming outdated faster and faster. This is why we need a more intelligent structuring of both the length of study and the curriculum within the framework of lifelong learning.
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