She says that underscored how important digital media and other tools are but also exposed widespread infrastructure failings. The German leader said: “That is why we have to push ahead with the digitization of schools at full speed. We need this as an indispensable addition to face-to-face teaching.” Merkel says the government is committing 6 billion euros (USD 7.1 billion) to support the development of digital learning and infrastructure in schools.

She says all schools need high-speed internet access as soon as possible and teachers need computers suitable for providing digital lessons. Germany’s schools have reopened and students have returned to in-class learning, but officials have cautioned that the country needs to be better prepared in case virus case numbers spike again.