Overview

• The Saxony-Anhalt education ministry announced the immediate removal of compact ski courses from the physical education curriculum due to high costs, staffing shortfalls and logistical challenges.
• Schools can still organize ski trips during holidays but must secure independent funding and staffing.
• Last year’s ski courses consumed nearly €201,000—almost half of the €450,000 budget earmarked for official educational travel.
• The Junge Union warned that compact ski courses often provide many students in the landlocked state with their first exposure to winter sports.
• The SPD’s finance spokesman Andreas Schmidt called on the ministry to reverse the decision, labeling it an unsound intervention in school autonomy.