Ten-year-old from Karlsfeld has to pay for her own way to school – injustice?

Ten-year-old from Karlsfeld has to pay for her own way to school – injustice?

What's going on in Karlsfeld? A ten-year-old, Johanna, is faced with a situation that not only seems unfair, but is also potentially dangerous. While her classmates can ride the school bus for free, Johanna has to pay for her own way to school. Your journey to school is only 2.6 kilometers, but it is 400 meters below the limit of three kilometers, which is crucial for free transport. This regulation causes a lack of understanding and a lot of discussion among the affected family, as they consider the way Johanna cycles to school to be dangerous. According to tz.de, all children have to get on the school bus at the same bus stop, but only Johanna is affected by this regulation.

The nearest bus stop on Gartenstrasse, 250 meters from her home, is exactly at the three-kilometer mark. This distance regulation, which is implemented by the Dachau district office, means that parents' safety concerns are dismissed as unfounded. Reference is made to a court ruling that determined that battery-operated lamps and reflectors are sufficient for the way to school. This assessment shows that there are challenges that are difficult to understand as parents, especially when children often have to go home in the dark in winter.

Regulations for school transport

According to information from the Dachau District Office, parents are entitled to school transport up to the 10th grade, provided certain requirements are met. From the 11th grade onwards, different rules apply to the assumption of costs. The district office website provides detailed information on how to apply and timetables to help parents if they have any questions. There is even an FAQ section that clarifies common uncertainties. If you have personal concerns, those affected can contact the responsible contact person in the district office directly, including Mr. Bartmann, who is responsible for the concept of school transport, or Ms. Fischer, the deputy head of the department.

It is interesting that the legal basis for school transport in Germany is determined by the federal states. For example, Lower Saxony and Bavaria have specific regulations that regulate the right to free transport. In Bavaria and North Rhine-Westphalia, primary school students receive free transport from a distance of at least 2 kilometers to school, while larger minimum distances are usually required for secondary schools. It is therefore not surprising that such various regulations give rise to debate. The current situation also means that scenarios like Johanna's are not even an exception, but rather the result of complex regulations that often do not harmonize well in practice.

Alternatives and solutions

The district office has offered a solution in the form of a 365 euro ticket for students. However, many parents consider this measure to be unfair because the differences in the cost coverage for different students have not been sufficiently clarified. However, questions about the feasibility and safety of the route to school have not been completely resolved. One parent noted that if all children were treated equally, the pros and cons would be easier to negotiate.

Parents in similar situations are advised to contact the school directly if their children do not arrive for class on time. At a time when the safety and equal opportunities of children should be taken seriously, it is clear that there is a need for action. The issue of school transportation is complex and often shaped by individual circumstances that vary from family to family.