Billion dollar package for Schleswig-Holstein: schools, daycare centers and roads in focus!

Billion dollar package for Schleswig-Holstein: schools, daycare centers and roads in focus!

A financial package worth billions is making waves in Schleswig-Holstein. As NDR reports, a total of 2 billion euros will flow into the renovation of schools, hospitals and municipal roads over the next twelve years. A large part of these funds comes from the 100 billion euro special fund for infrastructure and climate neutrality, from which Schleswig-Holstein receives 3.5 billion euros. Almost two thirds of this money is to be passed on directly to the municipalities, which represents a positive signal for local development.

Finance Minister Silke Schneider (Alliance 90/Greens) emphasizes that Schleswig-Holstein was the first federal state to reach an agreement with the municipal state associations. This agreement is welcomed by many as a necessary step for rapid and unbureaucratic implementation of the funds. At the same time, there is a broad consensus in the state parliament about the urgency of the measures. While the opposition has praised the agreement, there are calls for the funds to be used exclusively for investment.

Changes in school policy

A key component of the new financial package is the legal regulation that will introduce a legal right to all-day care in primary schools from the 1st grade onwards from the 2026/27 school year. The state government has agreed with the municipal associations to cover 85 percent of the costs, which gives the municipalities planning security. Families in particular benefit from this regulation, as 70 percent of women in Schleswig-Holstein work part-time, as SPD parliamentary group leader Serpil Midyatli emphasizes.

The funding guidelines for the all-day investment program have been in force since June 17th and stipulate that up to 196 million euros are available to expand the necessary facilities. Education Minister Karin Prien emphasizes that this expansion is crucial for educational equality and strengthening children's basic skills.

Challenges and opportunities

Despite these positive developments, there are challenges and associated criticism. SPD MP Martin Habersaat notes that previous promises have often not been kept and that there is pressure to build new school buildings. In addition, FDP parliamentary group leader Christopher Vogt expresses concerns that the new funds could be used to close budget holes instead of for the planned investments.

In order to meet the challenges, the sponsoring associations are calling for greater involvement in the planning of all-day programs. This is considered necessary in order to fully exploit the educational potential in schools. A study by the Bertelsmann Foundation argues that many all-day schools do not make sufficient use of their opportunities and that a quality offensive is therefore urgently needed.

However, municipalities have the opportunity to develop their own solutions and establish networks that enable good cooperation between schools and extracurricular education providers. This means that the resources used can also serve to promote the cognitive and social development of children in the long term.

The coming months will show how the new guidelines will be implemented and the funds will be used. School authorities eligible to apply should in particular be well prepared, because the first applications for full-day expansion can be submitted from September 1, 2024. It will be all the more important that the required measures are implemented quickly.