The implementation of the “Digital Pact for Schools 2019 to 2024” has got off to a good start in Oranienburg. The federal funding program aims primarily to promote the expansion of digital infrastructure in municipal primary schools. Specifically […]

Oranienburg.The implementation of the “Digital Pact for Schools 2019 to 2024” has got off to a good start in Oranienburg. The federal funding program aims primarily to promote the expansion of digital infrastructure in municipal primary schools. This means in particular network cables, network connections, sockets, servers and WLAN – i.e. everything necessary for the operation of digital devices such as smartboards or tablets. The aim is that up to 30 students in each class can access the Internet via WLAN at the same time without any problems.

The implementation of the digital pact begins in the neighborhoods

The first steps are currently being taken at the elementary schools in Germendorf, Schmachtenhagen and Sachsenhausen, as well as at the Havelschule: In Germendorf, the laying of the cables and the replacement of the old server with a modern, high-performance server cabinet have already been completed . In addition, tenders for new network technology and access points for complete WLAN equipment are currently underway. All the necessary network cables have already been laid at the primary school in Sachsenhausen. Replacement of the server cabinet and installation of new network components will follow shortly.

Wiring is currently underway in the Havelschule. Work on the primary school in Schmachtenhagen will begin this summer. The elementary schools in Lehnitz and Friedrichsthal are to be digitally upgraded from the start, this will be done as part of the respective new construction projects. Appropriate modernizations will be carried out at the Comenius primary school, the forestry primary school and the Jean-Clermont high school in Sachsenhausen by the end of 2023. As far as server technology is concerned, the Comenius school is already the school most modern primary in Oranienburg. The only thing that needs to be developed here is WLAN, as it is only available in some rooms so far. “The works in progress are barely visible from the outside, but they are of fundamental importance. They are the essential requirement for students to be able to read texts on tablets or for teachers to be able to teach multiplication tables on smart boards,” says Anke Michelczak, head of the Office for Education and Social Affairs.

The city receives 1.28 million euros in prize pools

Computers, smartphones and the Internet are shaping daily life, leisure and working life today. In order to make children and young people suitable for this, they should already learn the relevant digital skills at school. “It’s about participating in a society in which digital media has become the norm”, explains Anke Michelczak. While implementation is in full swing, funding first had to be requested and the application process, which was not entirely straightforward, had to be mastered. But the effort was worth it: the city received 1.28 million euros from the kitty. It adds 10 percent of this sum from its own resources. The total amount is distributed among the elementary schools according to their size.

established project group

In order to implement the digital pact in the best possible way for the almost 3,000 pupils who are currently being educated in the schools of Oranienburg under the sponsorship of the city, there has been since 2019 an interdepartmental project group of ten people within the municipal administration, which is made up of employees from the departments of digital, education and social affairs, central services, building management and organization, among others. The project team takes care of all issues relating to the digital pact – from determining the needs of each school to awarding contracts and providing on-site support in the schools. The fundraising program’s extensive application for funds was also prepared in collaboration with the schools.

Gilbert Colle.

© Source: City of Oranienburg

Markus Abraham, whom the city recruited in the spring of 2021 as IT coordinator for schools, is also part of the project team. Which school needs what? Which manufacturer is best for everyone? All matters relating to the strategic planning of digital equipment fall within his area of ​​responsibility. Because the digital pact was supplemented by three additional agreements as a result of the corona pandemic, Jens Rickriem was also recruited as IT administrator schools for the municipal administration at the beginning of this year. “If the tablet does not work properly, the smartboard does not turn on, the operating system must be updated or new devices must be installed, he is the interlocutor”, explains Gilbert Collé, responsible for the Digital Office. “It’s kind of a digital gatekeeper, so to speak.” It is a great relief in the schools. “We have had a lot of positive feedback because the schools now have a central contact in the city and they no longer have to turn to various external service providers”, specifies Gilbert Collé. The position is currently funded by the Digital Pact. Because digital means little without someone who knows it, Jens Rickriem is expected to stay in town beyond 2024 – then funded from his own resources.

Bought over 270 tablets

Additional agreements have also enabled progress to be made in the acquisition of digital terminals. Thanks to the 216,000 euros, on which the city has added another 10%, more than 270 tablets and 15 mobile loading wagons have already been purchased and handed over to schools run by the city. “It wasn’t easy, the delivery bottlenecks caused us some problems, but now all the devices are there”, reports Gilbert Collé. In addition to the corresponding infrastructure and devices, there is another equally important element in digital education: the expansion of broadband. In other words, a fast and stable Internet via a fiber optic network, necessary for the proper functioning of videos or complex applications. Applications submitted to the district for funds from the federal broadband funding program have already been confirmed. It is not yet known when which school can expect the fiber optic cables to be laid, which will bring fast internet connection. This also depends on Telekom, but should happen by the end of the year.

From MAZ online