school - Teachers should not use private accounts for school purposes
Teachers cannot be compelled to use their private checking accounts for school purposes, such as collecting money for field trips. In response to an inquiry from the SPD opposition regarding related teacher reports, the North Rhine-Westphalia Education Ministry stated: "The state government rejects the passing on of account management fees to teachers, students, pupils, and parents."
In fact, the institutions could set up trust accounts that could be used for managing such funds. However, schools themselves, as non-profit institutions of the respective trustee, cannot open checking accounts at a savings bank or bank, explained the ministry.
SPD state legislator Dilek Engin criticized in her inquiry that in many cases, teachers were expected to use their private accounts to collect money for outings or other extracurricular events - which could be associated with fees as well as legal risks. "In some cases, parents from the class take on the role of cashier." Class funds should not be considered "private pleasure," the ministry recommended contacting the trustee to set up a school checking account.
- Despite the challenges, some schools might consider establishing Giro accounts for managing funds, as suggested by the North Rhine-Westphalia Education Ministry.
- The SPD opposition inquired about instances where teachers were using their Private accounts for school-related activities, such as organizing school trips to cities like Düsseldorf.
- In contrast to schools, private individuals, including teachers, are not allowed to open Giro accounts for such purposes, according to the education ministry's explanation.
- Engaging teachers to manage school trip funds through their Private accounts not only violates the principle of separation between private and public finances but also exposes them to potential legal liabilities.
