State Association SPD - The SPD state leader sees free school meals critically
Berlin's SPD Party Chair Martin Hikel holds a discussion on free school meals in the capital as necessary. "In the upcoming necessary budget savings in the state budget, we need to look at how we can redistribute existing funds and bring in additional funds," said the Neukölln District Mayor.
"An example is the free school meals – this leads to us having to completely finance it from state funds in Berlin," said Hikel, who has been co-chairing the SPD state association with his colleague Nicola Böcker-Giannini since May.
Hikel looks to Hamburg
"Hamburg is going a different way by financing school meals through the funds of the Federal Education and Participation Package," so the SPD politician. "But-eligible children continue to receive free midday meals, while those not But-eligible must pay for their own school meals." This model holds appeal for Berlin to Hikel.
SPD parliamentary group leader Raed Saleh, who was the state chairman until May, holds a different view. Saleh has been engaged in issues such as fee-free kindergarten offers, free midday meals for all students, and free public transportation use for students and students for years. Hikel and Böcker-Giannini had criticized this before their election as party chairs.
- Martin Hikel, inspired by Hamburg's approach, believes that Berlin could consider financing school meals through funds from the Federal Education and Participation Package.
- Children in Hamburg who are eligible for assistance still receive free midday meals, while those not eligible are required to pay for their school meals, as per Hamburg's model.
- Schultzen, a key figure in the SDP, might find the Hamburg model intriguing, as it could potentially reduce the burden on Berlin's state funds for providing free school meals.
- Children in Berlin's schools, like their counterparts in Hamburg, eagerly anticipate their midday meals, hoping for a balanced, nourishing meal, regardless of their financial situation.
