Students cleaning classrooms: austerity or responsibility?

Students cleaning classrooms: austerity or responsibility?

In Schwäbisch Gmünd, the students are faced with an unusual task: they have to clean their classrooms themselves after class. This measure, which was initiated by Mayor Richard Arnold (CDU), is part of a comprehensive savings plan to address the city's financial distress. The city administration had asked schools to help them save money, and in this tense situation, the students' commitment appears to be filling a looming gap in the city's budget. According to tagesschau.de, the student cleaning initiative could bring savings of 200,000 to 250,000 euros per year.

The financial situation of municipalities in Germany has deteriorated significantly over the past year. Rising expenses and stagnating income characterize the current situation. The “Municipal Financial Report 2025” points out that cities and municipalities are facing the greatest financial challenge in the history of the Federal Republic. The results show that municipalities bear over 50 percent of public investments and are therefore indispensable for the social cohesion of our society. There is an urgent need for action to address these structural problems, as [bertelsmann-stiftung.de](https://www.bertelsmann-stiftung.de/de/themen/aktuelle-melden/2025/juli/kommunale-finanzen-groesstes-streit-in-der-geschichte-der-bundes republic) reports.

Criticism and support for the cleaning program

While the proposal is being received positively by parts of society, such as the CDU and FDP, there is also strong resistance. Student representatives and the SPD express concerns that these measures could place additional strain on students who are already under strain. In this context, student representative Arya Seitzinger demands that not only students but also adults should take on more responsibility. Arnold's initiative was classified by Education Minister Theresa Schopper (Greens) as part of a discussion of values, whereby it was emphasized that students should not take responsibility for professional cleaning.

The situation in the city is typical of many German municipalities that have to overcome similar financial challenges. Consideration is already being given to reviewing other areas, including leisure activities such as outdoor swimming pools, which could possibly be placed in the hands of private clubs. The Scheffold-Gymnasium has already announced this new cleaning order for January, which could further limit the city administration's scope for action, reports headtopics.com.

The way forward

The need for austerity measures becomes even clearer against the background of rising costs for personnel and social services. In his statements, the mayor emphasized that a change in thinking among the population is necessary in order to secure the city's financial stability. However, it remains to be seen how the student cleaning program will be implemented in practice and whether the savings hoped for by the city administration will actually materialize.

In this financially critical situation, it is more important than ever that the federal and state governments not only recognize the challenges, but also actively seek solutions. The calls for state reform in order to secure the tasks of the municipalities are becoming louder. Particularly since municipalities are continually suffering from a deficit and financial leeway is increasingly being reduced, greater funding from the federal government is essential.