Education - No free school lunches in sight in Lower Saxony
The red-green state government's project to establish free lunches in Niedersachsen schools is stalling. In response to an inquiry from the CDU, the Culture Ministry, headed by Julia Willie Hamburg (Greens), replied that efforts would continue. However, the responsibility for organizing and pricing the lunch offer lies with the school administrators - in particular, the cities and municipalities. And: Talks with the municipalities about a free lunch offer have not yet taken place.
CDU education politician Christian Fühner sees this as a "sworn statement." The corresponding passages in the coalition agreement between SPD and Greens are not worth the paper they are written on. In the agreement, it says: "We aim to offer a cost-free and high-quality, preferably regional, lunch option in schools and will speak with the municipalities about ways to implement this." In addition, Rot-Gruen intend to influence it so that all children at continuing education schools also participate in the communal lunch.
CDU demands more engagement from Minister Hamburg
"The government is far from the goal of offering a healthy, regional, and cost-free lunch, as many schools do not even have a cafeteria," criticized Fühner. "Minister Hamburg must show much more engagement to create a good offer by 2026." In that year, a legal right to full-day care will be introduced for all first-graders in primary schools.
According to the Culture Ministry's statements, the offer of a warm lunch at full-day schools in the state is mandatory. However, data on how many students participate and how high the prices are is not available. There is no obligation for students to use a fee-paying lunch offer.
- Despite the CDU's criticisms, Julia Willie, the Green party's Education Minister in Hanover, maintains that her ministry will continue to push for the establishment of free lunches in Lower Saxony schools.
- The SPD-Green state government's initiative to provide free lunches in schools is facing challenges in securing cooperation with municipalities, including Hamburg.
- Despite the coalition agreement's intention to offer a cost-free, high-quality, and regional lunch option in schools, many continuing education schools in Lower Saxony do not participate in the communal lunch.
- In response to criticisms from the CDU about the slow progress of the free lunch initiative, Minister Willie's Ministry of Culture in Hamburg has highlighted the responsibility of school administrators in organizing and pricing the lunch offer.
- As the legal right to full-day care for first-graders in primary schools approaches in 2026, CDU education politician Christian Fühner urges Minister Julia Willie to increase her engagement to ensure a healthy, regional, and cost-free lunch option for all students in Lower Saxony schools.
