podcast
The latest results of the PISA study were startling. But how to counteract the weak results of German students? More sport could help, host Felix Neureuther and Manuel Baum believe in the new episode of “Pizza & Fries”.
“German students are worse than ever” – these were the headlines in December 2023. In the OECD’s international school performance study, PISA for short, Germany achieved its worst result to date in 2022. The drop in performance in Germany is above average in international comparison politicians are alarmed. But concrete measures are missing – especially when it comes to the promotion of sport. And in the opinion of Felix Neureuther, Manuel Baum and also Simone Fleischmann, the President of the Bavarian Teachers’ Association (BLLV), this could be a lever be.
More support for creative subjects
“I think that the topic of sport and exercise as a whole has far too little importance in our society,” says Felix Neureuther in the current episode of the BR24Sport podcast “Pizza & Fries”. The creative subjects in particular, i.e. art, music and sport, are given far too little attention. “I believe that in today’s world it would be extremely important to try to promote exactly these subjects. (…) When you move, and this has been scientifically proven, something develops in your brain. It new synapses are formed and so on. You are more receptive etc. and I believe that we definitely have to start there in this creative area.”
What bothers Neureuther massively: “Only three out of ten ten-year-old children can do a decent forward somersault, very few can still run backwards properly,” says the ex-ski racer. In addition, many diseases such as diabetes or dementia have a lot to do with exercise. “Exercise is healthy, and we have to try to integrate that into our society again and we have to start with the little ones in our school system.”
Neureuther: Politicians are not doing enough
In Canada, children have two hours of sport per day, in Germany it is two hours per week in primary schools: “Why not more?” Manuel Baum, ex-teacher, ex-Bundesliga coach and head of the RasenBallsport Leipzig youth performance center since 2023, has the feeling “that school sport is just an appendix that is there in our school system”. And since the grades are not relevant, the topic of school sports is of no interest to anyone. This value must be changed.
But that’s exactly where the problems start. The interviewees agree that this is not being encouraged enough by politicians.
BLLV President Fleischmann also sees foundations and sponsors as having a duty
BLLV President Simone Fleischmann agrees with the tenor: “I believe that schools absolutely have to make offers. It would be fatal if we only did German and math, so to speak, because that was bad in Pisa.”
In order to achieve improvements, Fleischmann also sees others as having a duty: “Above all, we need support from foundations, external associations and also from people who often sponsor children from socially disadvantaged backgrounds. (…) Physical education is the task of schools, clubs, parents and of us in society as a whole.”
RBLFunding offensive for more exercise and life school
RB Leipzig’s so-called RBL funding offensive does exactly that, reports Manuel Baum. “We are now providing staff from the association for 30 of 50 primary schools in Leipzig and for daycare centers so that we can support the teachers in physical education lessons.” This works all day and around 1,400 children are reached. “That’s not the main thing “It’s not about them learning football, but about just getting moving.”
This is financed by the club. When it comes to finance, Felix Neureuther once again calls on politicians: “Why don’t we go to our country and say: We’re now taking so many billions and we’re just going to better incorporate the topic of exercise, health and sport into our education in which we invest, in the little ones, so that they are healthy and fit and are sent into the future not only physically but also mentally.”
Neureuther: “Then nothing happens again”
Neureuther’s frustration with the “encrusted” system and bureaucracy in politics is evident when he says: “When you try to implement things, it takes such a long time. In the meantime, five different people are responsible for this issue and Then nothing happens again. (…) It’s made so complicated, and that’s actually what makes me so upset, to be honest.”
In addition, teachers are not sufficiently supported and parents have too much say. “Somehow we have to try to find a solution, a sensible system for the most important people we have in our country. And those are the children!”
Realistic suggestion? Link sporting activity to child benefit
His suggestion: grab the parents where they feel it, by the wallet: “Why don’t you get a bonus if your child is in the club? At least that what the club costs in membership fees is capped. I think that’s a good approach “We also have to make sure that it doesn’t become too expensive for parents to get their children into the clubs.”
Manuel Baum is in the same vein: He would also like to create financial incentives, for example making the amount of child benefit dependent on whether a child plays sports or is active in a club. “If I fulfill that, I get it completely, but if that’s not fulfilled, then it’s just reduced.”
Sport, says Baum, is also very important in the holistic view of children’s development: “The topic of how do I deal with defeats? How do I deal with victories? That’s also far too short. If I focus on that If you don’t dedicate yourself to the topic of sport (…) then you’ll lose a lot of what you need for your life, but also for your later professional life.” But this can only be achieved if politicians set appropriate guidelines:
Fleischmann: Schools could better promote “issues of the heart.”
Simone Fleischmann, on the other hand, focuses more on the schools’ personal responsibility and also thinks about the other creative subjects: “So one does a sports week and the other does a sustainability week. This will be the school of the future, one that we don’t have to do with lawnmowers everywhere “We don’t do it right away or we all do the same thing. The issues that are close to our hearts are put at the center.”
Everyone agrees that something has to change. Felix Neureuther also appeals to parents to make their own children enjoy sports: “Dear parents, if you want to support your child, don’t just let them play football. Don’t just let them ski, don’t just let them play handball, Just let the children do different things, that also promotes the children’s coordination and cognitive skills incredibly well. (…) Just let the children do sports, have fun and have fun, because that is still the most important thing for the children counts.”
“Pizza & Fries”: All episodes at a glance
Season 2:
Season 1:
League leadership and relegation battle, current fixtures, results and live ticker, top scorer lists, mileage and tackle statistics and much more: Football in the BR24Sport results center.
Source: BR24Sport January 31, 2024 – 9:54 a.m
