Mnyone can say what they want about the Corona crisis, but in the case of the German school system, it has ensured a long overdue development, putting digital content on the timetable at breakneck speed.

The latest example of this learning revolution is the newest subject in German schools. Based on their experiences during the first regular weeks of classes since March, the ministries of education in the 16 German states have decided that the video game “Fortnite” will officially become a graded subject.

“Fortnite” to replace outdated subjects

In doing so, the states are drawing conclusions from the level of achievement that children showed after five months of homeschooling. While the overwhelming majority were no longer up to speed on the subject matter and some elementary school students from educationally disadvantaged families had even forgotten how to read, virtually all of them showed a marked improvement in their skills in the “Battle Royale” mode of “Fortnite”.

To prevent Generation Corona from suffering even more than it already does from the consequences of the pandemic and teachers with 1998 Nokia cell phones as their only electronic equipment, “Fortnite” is intended to replace hopelessly outdated subjects such as writing, arithmetic or religion until further notice.

Schools hope for better results

The hope of the Ministries of Education is that the grade point average will remain constant or even improve as a result of the introduction of the new subject. This is because they do not want to have to raise all math A-level grades by one point again across the board, as was recently the case in Saxony, so as not to put the next generation at a disadvantage.

Parents react alarmed

In any case, the federal states are sure they have done everything right with the new school subject. “Fortnite” not only imparts basic knowledge about business, sports and weapons, but also prepares children realistically for life.

If a second wave of corona were to lead to a renewed shutdown of public life, Germany would look just like the game’s “Battle Royale” mode, in which everyone fights everyone else and only one survives in the end.

Parents, however, are up in arms against the new school subject: They see a danger that children will soon spend hours doing their homework and no longer find time to play.