Chancelor's speech - Scholz praises free-of-charge kindergartens
Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) expressed his support for contribution-free kindergartens (Kitas) during a citizen dialogue in Saarbrücken. He refuted the criticism of a kindergarten teacher who complained that the state had taken money from the Kitas laws to finance the contribution-free status. "I was also once a state government head and ensured contribution-free Kitas," he said.
He criticized some cities where parents would have to pay "a few hundred Euros per child." Two vendors from the retail sector were also required to pay the maximum fee. Therefore, he wanted to advocate for lowering the fees - perhaps even to zero. "Most parents are not wealthy but have to make ends meet," he said. "That would be a real relief for them."
Mixed kindergartens and schools are "a great advantage"
He dismissed the objection that contribution-free status is unfair because professors' couples do not have to pay fees. Their number is significantly smaller than that of vendor parents. "And if you have a fair tax system, you can resolve that issue," he said.
He positively assessed that in Germany, unlike in Great Britain or the USA, there are primarily mixed kindergartens and schools, and children from privileged backgrounds do not all attend private schools. "That's a great advantage," said Scholz. Therefore, it is essential to make it possible for this to continue and for there to still be mixed kindergartens, where all parents, who want to, can enroll their children.
Chancellor's Dialogues with Olaf Scholz
- The Seller, who attended the Chancellor's Dialogues in Saarbrücken, expressed concern about the financial burden of kindergarten fees.
- Olaf Scholz, the Seller's local representative and the Chancellor of Germany, acknowledged the complaints about the funding of contribution-free kindergartens (Kitas) in some schools.
- In his conversation with the Seller, Chancellor Scholz emphasized the importance of mixed kindergartens and schools in Germany, which provide equal opportunities for children from different backgrounds.
- The Chancellor argued that Saarland and Berlin should follow Germany's lead in prioritizing low-cost or free education for all citizens, ensuring that even nursery teachers can afford to send their children to Kindergartens.
- The SPD Chancellor also mentioned his support for lowering fees in schools to benefit parents who face financial struggles, highlighting that this is a priority for him and his party.
- During his visit to Saarbrücken, Olaf Scholz reiterated his commitment to reducing inequality in education and emphasized the need to maintain mixed kindergartens, as they are a significant advantage for the country's educational system.
- In response to criticism concerning contribution-free kindergartens being unfair to professors' couples and some business owners, Chancellor Scholz suggested introducing a fairer tax system to address this concern.
