PASCH: Education Creates Prospects – Multilingualism Opens Horizons

Enlarge image Pupils of the German School at Jakarta wearing T-shirts of the "Schools: Partners for the future" initiative. (© T.Imo/photothek.net ) With the partner school initiative PASCH, a global network of schools is being built. Pupils at these schools are not just given the opportunity of learning German and enjoying German education. This cultural relations initiative is intended to arouse long-term interest in modern Germany and the German language amongst young people – especially in the priority regions of Asia, the Middle East and Central and Eastern Europe.

The Federal Foreign Office is responsible for coordinating PASCH, which is being implemented in cooperation with the Central Agency for Schools Abroad (ZfA), the Goethe-Institut (GI), the Educational Exchange Service of the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs of the Länder in the Federal Republic of Germany (PAD) and the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD).

The German Bundestag made available 45 million euro for the implementation of the initiative in 2008, while a budget of 54 million euro has been provided for 2009.

Initial results are good

The initiative is definitely a step in the right direction as the year 2008 has shown. The aim of doubling the number of partner schools to 1,000 globally was achieved by the end of 2008. The network of partner schools grew by 500 to 1060. Fifteen new German schools abroad were opened, 170 more schools are now introducing the German Language Certificate, a further 320 schools newly included in the network are extending the German lessons they offer. By 2010, the network is to take in 1,500 schools.

The rapid extension of the network shows on the one hand that there is great demand for the German language and that there is a growing interest in learning more about Germany. On the other hand, the positive way in which they have been received makes plain that with PASCH the schools are providing high-quality education. This means that, apart from language classes, school development is improved and the sphere of education strengthened, above all in the priority and growth regions as well as in countries benefiting from development cooperation (ODA countries).

Enlarge image (© www.germanyandafrica.diplo.de) What’s in store for PASCH?

In 2009 and 2010, it is above all a matter of consolidating the network, making it sustainable and ensuring the German language is promoted. The networking between schools is to be further strengthened and lessons to be continuously improved.

The internet platform of the initiative is a particularly important instrument to promote networking and communication for pupils and teachers. Alongside many interactive elements to improve knowledge of the German language, there are also games and international competitions for pupils. Teachers can practice highly modern digital lessons on the learning platform, find out more about methodology and didactics and read tips on how to improve their German lessons and make them more innovative.

German companies are also to be involved more in PASCH as they themselves ultimately benefit from the initiative. Only if they commit, can the initiative reach its full potential. There are many different ways in which companies can support their future partners. Through scholarships or placements, equipment aid for schools or by supporting individual projects. The sky is the limit!

Related Link:

PASCH Website (in German)

Source: Federal Foreign Office