Features of education and funding of German students in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

The article identifies the peculiarities of higher education in the Federal Republic of Germany during the crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. First of all, it is the transition to distance learning and the loss of most students. The ways to overcome this crisis in the educational process are described: mass introduction of various video platforms for teaching, posting video lectures and electronic textbooks on university websites, creating groups of professors and higher education students in the WhatsApp messenger.

The article notes that among the positive aspects of distance education is that both students and teachers note that it allows for discussions; among the negative – the problem of effective and adequate evaluation of the results of distance learning. Currently, German universities are allowed to take exams online only in certain disciplines (each university approves its list). Laboratory and some other specific activities will take place after the end of the quarantine period. The second feature observed during the crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic in Germany is big laying students who combined jobs with their studies. To support German students in the fight against the consequences of this crisis, a significant number of special programs have been introduced at various levels: both by the state and the federal states, and by the universities themselves. In particular, students can apply to state loans, namely – to apply for an emergency loan of up to 650 Euros per month. The current student loans as well as new programs should remain interest-free for domestic students until the end of March 2021. International students in Germany will be able to get a loan since July 2020. Besides, many German universities have established funds to help students affected by the crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.