The new school year begins on Tuesday. For middle school students attending the Jakob-Fugger-Gymnasium, Maria-Theresia-Gymnasium, the Reischlesche Wirtschaftsschule, or the Agnes-Bernauer-Realschule, something will change: they will receive instruction in “Future Skills.” These are competencies designed to help them navigate a rapidly changing world. While strengthening the connection to real-world contexts and practical application has become a focus at all schools in Bavaria, Augsburg is forging its own distinct path in this area.
The Bavarian Ministry of Education’s concept, “Everyday Life Skills – School for Life,” aims to prepare students for a self-determined and responsible life. Through project weeks, it seeks not only to impart knowledge and skills but also to shape the hearts and character of young people, thereby supporting their personal development.
“In an era of profound social, technological, and professional change, we want to specifically prepare our students for the challenges of tomorrow—with competencies that go far beyond classical subject knowledge,” emphasized Education Mayor Martina Wild (Greens) upon request. What is particularly special is that the municipal secondary schools have developed a common, cross-school curriculum.
Topics within this curriculum include dealing with Artificial Intelligence and social media, managing one’s online presence, critical information gathering in the age of fake news, nutrition, volunteer work, sustainable living at home, work, and school, the challenges of digital payments (e.g., PayPal), and the temptations of installment plans. “We want to make students fit for the future,” stresses Katja Bergmann, principal of the Maria-Theresia-Gymnasium (MTG).
Problem-solving will be practiced, and critical and creative thinking skills will be honed.
Future Skills encompass the ability to adapt and communicate, problem-solving, emotional intelligence, digital competencies, critical and creative thinking, and teamwork. Representatives from the four schools worked last year to develop a curriculum for teaching these skills to students. While these key competencies are already a topic at many schools across Germany, the approaches often differ. In Munich, for example, students receive training in the form of workshops. The city of Munich emphasizes that the project aims to provide added value for equal opportunities for all students, regardless of their family background.
In Augsburg, a weekly lesson is planned in the middle schools of the four participating institutions for teaching Future Skills. Each school will choose its own implementation concept. For instance, at the MTG, two lessons will be taught every two weeks, while the Fugger-Gymnasium will offer twelve modules per year, each consisting of three lessons.
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