Learning buddies in Offenbach

Schools were closed in mid-March 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic and the homeschooling phase began. Classroom teaching at Offenbach schools also had to be suspended for many weeks in 2021. Learning no longer took place primarily at school, but at home. This meant that children were even more dependent on support from their families. As a result, educational inequality increased. Even now - almost two years later - the situation is still very difficult for many children.

This is where the "Learning Buddies in Offenbach" offer from the vhs Education Coordination and Advice Center aims to take countermeasures. The pilot phase started in the 2020/21 school year: children in third or fourth grade at Offenbach elementary school were given the opportunity to reduce learning deficits, develop their own learning strategies and acquire skills in online learning. To this end, they formed a learning tandem with learning buddies - pupils from the sixth form and students. The focus is on having fun while learning. The aim is to encourage the use of age-specific digital tools and independent learning. The learning tandems are intended to make the transition to secondary school easier for primary school pupils and boost their self-confidence. The volunteer learning buddies act as role models in Offenbach.

The pilot phase of "Lernbuddies in Offenbach" could be carried out at the vhs in 2021 thanks to the generous financial support of the Commerzbank Foundation. In December 2021, the "Lernbuddies in Offenbach" even received the state award "Soziales Bürgerengagement" for their special voluntary commitment. With this award, the Hessian Ministry for Social Affairs and Integration honors Hessians "who are socially committed in our community in a special way, take responsibility and care for the weaker members of our society."

After the pilot phase at the vhs Offenbach, a "move" is now imminent: From January 2022, the Offenbach Volunteer Center will coordinate the "Lernbuddies in Offenbach". The vhs Education Coordination and Advice Center will remain a cooperation partner. Further information can be found on the website of the Offenbach Volunteer Center: