The GTO at didacta

For the first time, we were present at didacta, Europe's largest education trade fair, from 11 to 15 February with the topic of school toilets. At the stand of the Bundeselternrat (Federal Parents' Council), we organised a panel discussion on the topic of ‘The education gap school toilet - healthy learning or hours of compliance?’ and spoke with representatives of the Bundesschülerkonferenz (Federal Pupils' Conference), the Federal Parents' Council and other education stakeholders about the challenges and solutions relating to school toilets. We focussed in particular on the educational value of this place: how can the topic be addressed didactically - in terms of education for sustainable development and as a contribution to promoting democracy? What role does the school toilet play in the new educational concept of all-day schooling and inclusion? Our central message was the following: School toilets are a basic prerequisite for a healthy and productive learning environment. Deficiencies must not simply be accepted, but must be recognised and rectified.