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The Colombian education system is preparing for one of its most significant changes in decades: starting in the 2026 school year, the agreement proposes that German become part of the official curriculum, supported by technical and pedagogical resources for its instruction.
The initiative originates from the Memorandum of Understanding signed between the Ministry of National Education, the German Embassy, and the Goethe-Institut, an agreement publicly announced between November and December 2024 by the Colombian government and reported by outlets such as El Tiempo, Semana, El Espectador, and DW Español.
The partnership seeks to strengthen the language skills of children and young people and open doors to new academic and professional opportunities.
Internationalization of public education
With this program, Colombia continues its strategy of educational internationalization, aiming to diversify language learning beyond English, which is currently the most widely taught foreign language in the country.
German, a key language in STEM fields (science, engineering, and innovation), promises to become a bridge toward higher education, scholarships, and future professional opportunities in Europe.
Gradual implementation and technical support
The Ministry of Education confirmed that the program’s rollout will be progressive and coordinated with regional secretariats.
This involves:
• Training and certification of teachers, with support from the Goethe-Institut
• Development of specialized educational materials
• Strategic guidance and international teaching standards
The government maintains that this investment is necessary to ensure quality from the start, especially in areas with limited educational resources.
Supporters of the initiative highlight that learning German from an early age can:
• Facilitate cultural exchanges with Europe
• Provide access to academic scholarships supported by the DAAD and German universities
• Improve employability for Colombia’s future workforce competing in the global economy
Questions and debates within the education sector and public opinion
Mandatory or just another filler subject?
Although it will officially be mandatory, several sectors warn that without trained teachers and guaranteed resources, German risks becoming a symbolic or poorly implemented subject.
Is it a priority compared to core subjects?
Experts point out that Colombia still faces serious challenges in basic areas such as math, reading, and literacy, according to recent PISA 2022 results.
Some question whether allocating resources to a third language is the most urgent step in this context.
Why German instead of strengthening English or teaching other languages?
The government argues that:
• The alliance with Germany provides financial, technical, and cultural support
• Countries such as Brazil, Chile, and Mexico have expanded their language offerings with positive outcomes
• German opens doors to one of Europe’s strongest economic markets
However, critics note that millions of students still lack basic English proficiency, so prioritizing another language could dilute existing efforts.
Opinions so far are diverse:
• Teachers welcome the international push but warn about lack of infrastructure and the risk of improvised implementation
• Students express curiosity about the new language while acknowledging it may be challenging
• Parents worry that the initiative may widen gaps between urban and rural regions
Introducing German into the official curriculum means much more than adding another class to the school day.
It is a strategic bet to ensure Colombia actively participates in academic and technological networks at the global level.
However, success will depend on preventing this policy from remaining only on paper: it requires sustained investment, solid teacher training, and serious monitoring of results.
If implemented effectively, German could cease to be a luxury reserved for private schools and instead become a key to global opportunities for thousands of Colombian students.
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About The Author
Mariana Ramirez Medina
Mariana Ramírez es una joven nacionalista mexicana comprometida con la verdad y la excelencia en el periodismo. Con una sólida vocación por informar, su propósito es acercar a los lectores a la realidad de los acontecimientos con claridad, honestidad y sin manipulaciones.
Se distingue por su transparencia y su dedicación a la búsqueda de hechos verificables, convencida de que el periodismo debe ser un pilar de confianza entre la sociedad y la verdad.
También aspira a destacar como una periodista reconocida por la profundidad de sus investigaciones, su compromiso con la integridad y el respeto con el que aborda cada historia.
Impulsada por la misión de fomentar una sociedad más informada, consciente y crítica, Mariana trabaja para que la verdad sea el eje central de su labor periodística, contribuyendo con responsabilidad y rigor al debate público.
