Jena, 10.12.2009
The text is written with the knowledge of the concerns of the protests and shows similarities in reasoning and thinking structures between the KMK and the HRK, which met today gemeinam, and the participants of yesterday's panel discussion by the Executive Board of the Friedrich-Schiller-University and representatives of the Thuringian State Government. At the panel discussion was the Rector's Office charged, in response to the protests. On student Side sat two people, for the student strike and one man for the student councils and the Student Council. Thus, this text follows two objectives: the critique of the paper adopted today by the KMK and the criticism of the speeches of Unileitung and the State Secretary to the panel discussion. Your prospects will be mirrored on the basis of the ideals and requirements of education strikers.
The Standing Conference (KMK) met today with the Rectors' Conference (HRK) in Bonn. Result was an attempt at appeasement by a staged act of responding to the demands of protests by means of a "corner-paper". Such a document signed of HRK and KMK first is nothing more than a text, an expression of a recommendation, not a promise, not a law. The media like to write then giving hope to the new study "will" now reformed, everything "is" better now, the big ones have something "done". Such a paper is often written to reassure the opposition, and unfortunately it has in the past a lot of work too often. This will not be the case this time, as will stay awake to many eyes.
demonstrations and blockades in Bonn
After weeks of occupations, demonstrations, activities and discussions of the formation of strike today again mobilized to a nationwide demonstration in Bonn. On the demonstration (or demonstrations) in the now-cool wet Bonn were on 7ooo - met 1oooo people - the press and the police as is often claimed that it was only half. Students, pupils, apprentices, unemployed, trade unionists and teachers articulated their protest against poor working, learning and study conditions, against the commodification of education, against the loss of democracy, against the lack of will to make more funds available, a limitation of self-determined acquisition of knowledge and against the barriers of access to education.
buses and trains traveled at least 30 cities to Bonn, also from Jena lead a bus. From Berlin, where coincided today a solidarity demo, even drove 20 buses. Coming from Mainz in the morning put the boat on education with 250 students on the banks of the Brass. On the trip were there overnight on board workshops and music from the band "Doktorjewski. Together they moved to the University of Bonn. "Standing detention"
to demonstrate and protest under the creative name was loaded by 13 clock, but overall were at least three demos pending. The mass demonstration lasted about two hours. In the afternoon there were several blockades of roads (both ends of the Ahrstraße, exit the cemetery Gotenstraße, Central Street intersections and the Albert Kahn-way). It was at least two sedans with ministers from the traffic is cut off and have them actually get detention. The police would have liked to have, but not cleared. After reports of protesters came from the police force by selective use of pepper spray. About Twitter news came in from the Albert Kahn-way in the police with sticks "in all" skin and tear gas began. To be part of the victims were then treated in the hospital. In the early evening was not known how serious the injuries were. Another post about Twitter, writes that two demo clowns were arrested. Overall, however, the Demo by many participants as a quiet, full of good mood and perceived by many people as a success.
demonstrations of solidarity, consents and monopolization
The demonstration of how the whole movement for weeks, driven primarily by active students, pupils and trainees. But the demonstrations of solidarity are very many. Professors and teaching, academics and labor rights, civil rights and many other organizations increasingly agree to the motion.
The trade union side had called for the demonstration. The Trade Union of Education and Science (GEW), called the rally a rechtsbindlichen access to master's programs and said on an alliance between teachers and students. In addition, the GEW talk long for more time for education, against debt and consolidation of programs, individual support for all students, more teachers and more equitable working conditions. The first concession of HRK and KMK evaluates the GEW success as the first part of the educational strike. Also earning was supported by Actions and logistical support the demonstrations, they see the demands of protesters, some seriously. Verdi argues for the abolition of tuition fees and for a commodification of higher education and study aims.
Attac Germany and the no-global youth movement Noya support the demonstration in Bonn. The scientific advisory board expressed its solidarity with the student strike. ["The Bologna process and the concomitant commodification of education have failed unequivocally. Start now has a new design process in which the democratic participation of all stakeholders is ensured. Therefore we are in the protests today that," said Max Bank, representatives of Noya watching the nationwide coordination group Attac.]
Yet for all the support you have, who supports what points of the protest to try to make use of the motion and shape in their image. Especially the big parties, the media and state and federal government but also the HRK HRK and institutions such as the CHE or INSM spin around the demands for better education in their own terms and its own neo-liberal thought patterns.
conservatives and neo-liberal perspectives on the protest
from conservative and (neo) liberal circles are welcomed the protests as from the perspective of the formation of the human mind time, less pressure and more flexibility, but their goal is absolutely contrary to a central criticism of the strike: The human mind, an educated mind to be made by them primarily as a chance to see the global competition among business locations. Education and science are seen as a Productive force. Therefore, current government, but many rectors occur hardly ever for an extension of the Bachelor, the bachelor, whose name for a long time still negative swing is that is not even recognized in the economy and in itself a paradox as a professional degree and science preparation is applied.
appealed For example, the FDP to the CMC, the protests do not lightly dismiss it as slapstick. But they reject "unrealistic ultimatums" from creating it in their limited thinking is not to question social structures only. In addition, the FDP proposes a "purification" of the courses as a solution of the pressure in study before. "Purification" the great word of the reform proposals by politicians of FDP, the CDU and SPD seems to be also of rectors and other 'experts'. They argue that the problem is the shortness of the time, but the uniformity of the contents of the former two more years of studies. An apt response was on the 'Assembly' at FSU on 25.11.2009 replies from a student to pediatric patients expression of Mario Voigt (CDU), the acting chairman of the Thuringian Parliament Committee for Education, Science and Research: "Please do not even less content! "
education and science in the global competition
Margret Wintermantel, President HRK, so probably well known thickness with Rector Klaus spoke out frankly what is the goal of better study conditions: "This is about the future of the country. We are keen that the students can complete a qualitative study. "An obsession with competition between universities and international competition in the Dean of the FSU seems to be a starting point for their opinions and decisions to be. Tuition fees in favor of Vice President for Academic and structure Kurt-Dieter Koschmieder not directly, but they could not make a substantial financial advantage over other universities, He said the one in the press conference on Tuesday (with the addition of this to do not necessarily have as large in the press).
A note on the views of Rector thickness is also a text of 2004 entitled "The University in the global competition." One is to invest more in science and research required to force the "build and maintain the global competitiveness of the university." Harrsch to criticism from the education strike would probably encounter the following passage: "Germany in particular is better or worse dependent on globalization as an opportunity. This is especially true for the university, from a reaffirmation of their spirit, that is, to encourage their productive and competitive forces. "
the protesters is not about a future capacity of the country in terms of a successful existence and enforcement in a global economic competition, and more about the human mind as such and as reason for a more just, more livable world, and values such as democracy and equality in itself.
Practical Criticism welcome but please no social criticism
The practical proposals of the protest, they could well use, say the representatives of the recent higher education reforms, which repeatedly assert that they could not do anything that Bologna reforms would have it be implemented. The Jena Unileitung sees himself as a guinea pig, the requirements of the policies for implementing the Bachelor-/Master-Systems but also no guidelines, concepts and experience reports would therefore be attacked, maybe you love to vo Tips from Bertelsmann (CHE) and INSM. Yes, and even if such impotence is so, where were the presidents and what has he done to the HRK and since 1999, when the Bologna Process was put on paper. This paper was a conspiracy by European governments and is not (!) Once legally binding. And, the HRK in the chorus of international flexibility and more effective science joined in and raised the Bologna Process an idol of modern education. All the better, they say if they would get from the students the "empiricism" that lead them to evaluate and improve the accreditation of courses of study and the Bologna reforms a success (O-Ton Rector Klaus thickness) need.
Even Margaret Wintermantel said after the KMK its offer of dialogue with the students with the same implications from: ". We also need the experience of the students," They include seemingly less democratic participation of all parties, but rather the use of the student experience to implementation of the reform, according to the allegations by the Unileitung also on the panel discussion yesterday as the goal of Universiät See, even though as a reason for the difficulties in implementation of its own called minor conviction and the too small "flame for reform" (press conference on Tuesday) for those affected by the university. But a democratic discussion of all stakeholders, not just the professors and student individual insurance Terter would probably be the refusal may lead to the Bologna goals.
So when it comes to useful criticism, then they are welcome to them. But this "unworldly" thought of the protest not use in conservative and liberal circles it. It was not a matter for universities to pursue social criticism, said Rector thickness of the panel discussion yesterday. You'll hear how the argument goes further: That is a matter of policy. Policy should of course take place in forums, protests, although not wrong, but the work should have the choice to take over "democratic representatives. could "So you speak with representatives, please enter in the forums, get an office, then I talk with you." Something like that you pointed describe the concept of democracy, which unfortunately also vehemently thickness of the FSU-Chancellor Klaus and represented the Thuringia State Secretary Thomas Deufel science at yesterday's panel discussion. New forms democracy, as they stimulate the protesters and demand, are not efficient or effective, we must take a targeted approach, since one can not now involve all times. In general are indeed in all processes student representatives have been involved (yes 3 or 4).
Even Klaus Dicke admitted to the panel discussion that he and the strikers had a completely different, incompatible with each other democracy. Democratic legitimacy is for the Lord thickness only elected representatives, all others are not recognized as a political voice. Such a limited imagination in democracy you expect from a political scientist with a good knowledge of political history of ideas not. But to such a position to get comfortable when you sit in such undemocratic bodies such as the Rector or the HRK to the top. Bring it but nothing to talk about democracy, including Secretary of State Deufel. And then - again Mr. Big - yet all this criticism of capitalism, one can not just abolish the whole capitalism.
But back to KMK and HRK - called the "democratic" bodies
in the title of today's press release HRK it! Ministry of Education and Rectors' Conference together act "Together we are strong, seems to be the motto, as a protest movement is even greater. Together to make a kick that would not be carried out more than one test per module, that there was a "realistic and reasonable" level of burden on students that examinations would be upheld in higher education and that the study would be more flexible. In addition, we wanted to try to reach 10% of GDP on education.
Apart from the lack of binding of a paper: The points of the KMK and HRK have agreed in their Tagunssaal comprising no substantial nationwide articulate demands and proposals, nor can one be content with the various points so easily satisfied.
criticism of the reform document of the KMK and HRK
The detained reduction of tests is strongly welcomed as such. Instead, testing should scientific work such as lectures, discussions, essays, research and research reports as well as longer writings form the basis of the studies. But the paper is missing the valuation of certain types of examinations. A requirement of the Jena education strike is set as the elimination of multiple-choice exams, which do not require independent thinking and applying just the ability to learn by heart, a little logical thinking and cross's.
will also target the rigid rules on the 6-semester Bachelor in favor of a "continuous" and "flexible" design of the course be changed to the master. The total number of 10 terms should remain. Thus, the strict time constraint of studies, reproduced. There are countless reasons why people take longer than five years to study or do. We remind you again that until the 6os not even exist periods of study in universities in Germany. Then, as in previous years, the gradual limitation of the study period there were economic interests and sometimes financial situations that motivated the legislative changes.
Admission to the master's program, after the admission, the CMC continues today by the universities be limited to "quality assurance" or capacity reasons. If at risk for a scientific education, the "quality" of teaching, as one should rather not help but think about, namely how the conditions of employment and the number of teachers can be increased. But unfortunately, politicians are rarely creative expertise in designing the company and the distribution of funds. So continue for most of a less quality bachelor's degree.
tuition, economization - no issues
over the abolition of tuition fees had one day to the KMK not first discussed, at least not in press releases, interviews or paper. What should they say? In their perception of importance and appreciation of the inter-nation alien competition for power, for profit and return to medals for scientific and 'performance' tuition fees are vorteilverschaffende instruments.
One or the other Social Democrat Secretary of State Thomas Deufel as well as science, which justified at yesterday's panel discussion Long-time tuition, provides a long-term tuition fees as an act of social justice, since it is indeed the better-off who are studying. Similarly, argued by some also like to generally in terms tuition fees. It is almost an honorable social justice idea were it not for the reality: Even for many of the mediocre 'good sized' families are tuition fees a heavy load up a hurdle, and to students without parental support and for the many low-cost studying almost impossible.
criticism of the commodification of higher education - the increasing influence of business on the research, dependence on external funds, enterprise and market-like conception of higher education and science (Key words: higher education, the service, service, supply and demand, international competition, ranking, recoverability of Science, etc.) - seems at the KMK and the HRK to get little or understood. gave remarks on this issue it from them today no.
Rector tried thick even on the panel discussion also rejected the accusations of support of economization. According to him, find an effect of the economy rather than solely in contract research, funding per se are not a problem, but a necessity and a help, and Unirat only two representatives would sit out of the economy (which is true: but that all things, a former CEO of Carl Zeiss and a board member of Siemens must be ...). That were articulated by the squatters criticism of the university as undemocratic Body (not students and faculty with voting rights) and as a means of curtailing autonomy for the 2 / 3 occupation by external, "said Klaus thickness, the Council decides anyway. Although the Unirat actually equipped with few skills, but his influence management, personnel issues and fundamental issues should not be underestimated.
On the side of the strikers aud The panel also criticized the university that they could increasingly seen as a business and science as a market and organize what you observe in words and concepts such as science market, demand and demand and quality management. Then said Klaus Dicke middle of a word confident and energetic, he was always against the quality management. A look at his thoughts on the grants panel discussion Qualitässteuerung 2006 HRK on where it appears that the claim is probably not quite right
"We have a whole set of procedures and assessment standards [...], you may apply. [...] Where it is used? This is the distribution of resources in research, but that is every single appeal. As an element of quality control I would call the appeal always comes first. "Quality measurement (evaluation) usually takes place quantitatively, but if money distribution and placement of sets of publications, depend citations positive ratings increased, both objectively and subjectively, the pressure on teachers and researchers. It's been known for years, at least in the institutes. On Accreditation of courses the article gives a more interesting note:
"[...] we must focus especially in the peak areas of what can be offered on the market for new subjects and new subject combinations. Since we must look to the standards that are now just querying the professional market. Also, is largely a European. "If that to be the primary maxims of Unileitung, one wonders how they can only come to the conclusion Can influence the economy only through contract research.
Not only these sensitive processes of commodification are also reflected by HRK and governments hardly. Other key topics of the student strike movement, such as abolition of precarious working conditions and low pay, or the extension of democratic participation of students and employees are scientists, apparently at the KMK and the HRK hardly worth mentioning.
What brought this day
show in a brilliant phrase from today's press release of the HRK 'decision makers' their 'benevolence' and democratic understanding: "Standing Conference Rectors' Conference and to criticisms of the students to the Bologna process have taken and decisions made. You are who believe that it is time again to move to a regulated studying. "This sentence says well again in the clearest, how democratic our" democratically elected representatives "so. We have not done what you wanted, now are quiet again. No, we will not! For too many missing and nothing was done today.
Well, what does this day? Guardian of shows definitely effect as success can not be won this paper directly, this has to happen more. But indirectly these reactions are still a success. But this paper shows appeasement that the Minister of Education and the principals are afraid. Fear that the movement is even stronger, that they still vigorously insists on managing the social and cultural causes of the problems. Maybe they are afraid that the students and the students continue to join forces with their teachers and lecturers, or even, as happened today at the demonstration before, with workers and the unemployed. But no one can stop this process more. The lecturers and teachers will not have to hide with their criticism, they have become one of many that will strengthen the back.
Federal Education Minister Annette Schavan invites the way to Bologna summit in April. Until then, this paper could even implemented, and further steps will be decreased. The contents of the protesters still have to be clearly formulated and articulated the thoughts and ideas need to be further disseminated in the public and discussed and observed the political processes vigilant and well commented. April is probably a good time to review the training again to take to the streets because they are now written on paper and not enough lines of attack at the Jena Unileitung one comes with some concerns probably continue to granite. With small concessions can not be satisfied if the problems at the root (radix - Are packed too radical).
KMK Chairman Henry Tesch (CDU) and HRK-President Margaret Wintermantel emphasized similar to openly display leading officials yesterday Jena panel discussion on the need for cooperation with the students and expressed their belief to find "common workable solutions." The student strike movement to be careful now very pleased that the 'busy' guide members of federal, state and university again not only with a few students from the committees work and continue to play a much more prominent role. It is a dialogue between students and between students and lecturers press ahead with a dialogue of bodies not belonging may be limited. The energy of the protest must be converted into a positive force of action, debate and thought. We can work no longer "them up there," left to their links with cliques and their shared world views are possible only with difficulty thinking and understanding what is being articulated by the protesters for years.
Sources:
HRK press release 10.12.
Focus on 10.12.
radio utopia on the KMK on 10.12.
FDP release 10.12.
GEW press release 10.12.
declaration of solidarity of the Scientific Advisory Board of ATTAC
call for demonstration in Bonn for the Standing Conference
A report from the demo
page KMK demonstration in Bonn
photos from the demo
Klaus Thickness: "The University in the global competition" in the GEW reader to the 13th State Higher Education Conference . Thuringian universities in the maelstrom of financial misery. Erfurt 2005th P. 29-33.
Klaus Dicke: contributions to the panel discussion "From the quality of teaching for quality development as a principle of university management - a location determination. " In: HRK - contributions to the university policy 12/2007 Quality-oriented higher education management and external standards . Contributions to an event of the project Quality Assurance of University Rectors Conference on 2./3.11.2006 in Bonn.
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