Prepared for execution: Educational Agreement for Hesse in Higher Learning Sector - Ready for Signing: New Education Agreement for Hesse in Higher Education
The Hessian Higher Education Pact for the years 2026 to 2031, set to be signed on Thursday, has sparked concerns and protests among Hessian universities and university councils. The pact, which pertains to the financial support of Hessian state universities and universities of applied sciences, is criticised for insufficient funding that could potentially undermine the quality of higher education and staff retention in the state.
The pact, which follows over a year of negotiations, is perceived as underfunded, with financial resources falling short of meeting the medium and long-term needs of Hessian state universities and universities of applied sciences. This underfunding could negatively impact the quality and sustainability of higher education in the state, as highlighted by university senates.
The senates of all 14 Hessian universities, including Goethe University Frankfurt, University of Kassel, Technical University of Darmstadt, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Philipps University Marburg, and several Universities of Applied Sciences, have voiced serious objections. Support for this protest also comes from the Trade Union for Education and Science (GEW), the United Services Union (ver.di), and the LandesAStenKonferenz Hessen.
The pact's goals and intentions, while not fully detailed in the provided sources, typically focus on securing stable funding for teaching and research, improving infrastructure, and enhancing research capabilities. However, the current draft appears to fall short of adequately supporting these goals, as university senates have pointed out.
Due to the anticipated underfunding, there are concerns about staff positions and employment stability. The pact’s constraints could lead to personnel shortages, increased workloads, and potentially hinder universities' ability to recruit and retain qualified academic and administrative staff. This situation risks weakening the universities’ overall capacity.
Responses from institutions such as Goethe University Frankfurt have explicitly called for amendments to the pact to ensure adequate funding and support. The university senates have urged the ministers responsible for science, art, and finance to continue discussions and improve the pact.
Recent protests against threatened cuts and reductions in the pact may continue due to the institutions' financial concerns and staff reduction predictions. The institutions predict a deficit of approximately one billion euros in the next six years, which could lead to a ten percent permanent reduction of staff in research, arts, and administration.
However, the implications for the higher education institutions' financial situation remain unclear as the details of the new agreement have not yet been published. The Ministry of Science in Wiesbaden has announced the readiness of the new higher education pact for signature, but the institutions are eager for provisions to prevent predicted staff reductions and address demands for adequate funding, full compensation for wage increases and inflation.
The Hessian Higher Education Pact's focus on policy-and-legislation for the financial support of Hessian state universities and universities of applied sciences has sparked calls for vocational training and education-and-self-development in the community, as the pact's perceived underfunding could potentially harm education quality and staff retention (policy-and-legislation). The general-news regarding the pact's potential impact on staff positions and employment stability has led to protests among universities and trade unions, advocating for amendments to the pact to ensure adequate funding and prevent predicted staff reductions (politics).
