Students as cleaners? Hot dispute over cleanliness in schools!

Students as cleaners? Hot dispute over cleanliness in schools!

A suggestion from the mayor of Schwäbisch Gmünd is causing a lot of conversation: children and young people should help clean their classrooms. This idea, which is met with some composure in the region, has nevertheless caused a real outcry. The regulations surrounding table and sweeping services are already part of everyday life in many schools. The main reason behind the debate is the hope of strengthening students' self-responsibility and at the same time achieving financial relief for local authorities. According to PZ News, this could relieve the city of up to 250,000 euros annually.

But the proposal also attracts clear criticism. Skeptics, including representatives of the Enzkreis mayors, wonder how significant savings can actually be achieved through sweeping or vacuuming. It is also emphasized that the maintenance of school buildings is actually in the hands of the cities and municipalities, which themselves are increasingly struggling with financial difficulties. In this context, Interior Minister Thomas Strobl (CDU) also remembers his own experiences with cleaning classrooms - an activity that he does not find traumatic, but the controversy now speaks volumes in state politics.

A look at the legal framework

But what does it look like legally? The Baden-Württemberg Ministry of Culture is of the opinion that there is no sufficient legal framework to employ students as cleaning staff. Only educationally motivated community activities are allowed and the proposal could give the impression that students are lazy. This is criticized not only by student representatives, but also by parent representatives, who fear that responsibility will shift structural problems. Voices from Stuttgarter Nachrichten argue that schools should not act as a replacement for cleaning staff, children should learn and not clean.

Parallel to this debate, there are already approaches in Germany to voluntarily involve students in cleaning, for example through student companies that take on cleaning work. Abroad like in Japan and Singapore, students clean their classrooms every day and it is part of their school culture. It's not just about cleanliness, but also about team spirit and a sense of responsibility, as NA-DR reports. Dealing with the current debate raises fundamental questions about values ​​and responsibility in education.

Conclusion: A sensitive topic with many facets

The discussion about students keeping school rooms clean is more than just a pragmatic suggestion. It also touches on questions of education, responsibility and the financial burden on municipalities. It remains to be seen how tempers will calm down around this issue and whether creative solutions will be found that take both cleanliness and education into account.