German education unions and associations are calling on the federal and state governments to allocate firm financial commitments from the newly approved €500 billion special fund to support daycare centers, schools, and universities. The Education and Science Union (GEW) has estimated the sector’s funding needs at a minimum of €130 billion.
Urgent Need for Investment in Education
“The investment backlog in education is massive,” stated GEW head Maike Finnern in an interview with the German Editorial Network (RND). She warned that allocating less than the estimated amount would be detrimental to the country’s future, as the distribution of these funds over the next twelve years will play a crucial role in shaping Germany’s long-term prospects.
Approval of the Special Fund
On Friday, the Bundesrat followed the Bundestag in approving the debt-financed €500 billion infrastructure fund. Of this amount, €100 billion will be directed to federal states, while another €100 billion is earmarked for climate protection initiatives.
Priorities for Education Funding
The GEW emphasized that the most urgent priorities include funding the Start-Up Opportunities Program for disadvantaged schools and expanding the Digital Pact. The President of the German Teachers’ Association (DL), Stefan Düll, echoed this sentiment, advocating for a doubling of Digital Pact funds to €10 billion by 2030 to replace outdated equipment and cover essential maintenance and IT support.
Ensuring Germany’s Future Viability
Susanne Lin-Klitzling, Federal Chair of the German Philologists’ Association (DPhV), stressed the need for a significant portion of the special fund to be directed toward education. “This is a historic opportunity to secure Germany’s future viability,” she stated.
With education being a fundamental pillar of economic and social development, education advocates insist that substantial investments are essential to modernizing Germany’s learning institutions and ensuring equitable access to quality education.
Source:https://de.nachrichten.yahoo.com/
