Neumünster is fighting rising costs for school accompaniment!

Neumünster is fighting rising costs for school accompaniment!

Neumünster, Deutschland - The costs for school accompaniment in Neumünster were never before before. The city plans costs to counter the annual expenditure of around 6.7 million euros and around 25,000 euros per individual case. While the costs are literally going through the ceiling, the number of school accompaniment has more than doubled - from 140 in 2021 to 282. A huge increase that the Group Citizens attentively observed and confirms that something has to happen here. The CDU and SPD also support the need for structural changes, which is no wonder when you consider: The citizens' faction demands savings of more than 20 percent, which would make up around 1.5 to 2 million in euros.

In Neumünster there are schools with very different proportions in school accompaniment. The Hans-Böckler School, the Community School Brachenfeld and the elementary school Einfeld Beadmaster, each with 23 school attitudes, while the Wilhelm-Danck School, the Freiherr-vom-Stein School and the Mühlenhof School have to come up with the least school accompaniment. The numbers emphasize that a large part of the students need support to be able to participate in class.

cost transparency and contractual terms

A central proposal of the citizens' faction for more cost transparency is the introduction of uniform performance agreements for the numerous sponsors who work in Neumünster. There are currently 35 different carriers who work with different framework contracts. Carsten Hillgruber, the social director, emphasizes that although the accusation is in the room, contracts are taken over uncritically, but he replies that there are legal hurdles in the event of contract changes. The conditions should include that providers may raise a maximum of 25 percent of personnel costs.

The topic of school support is not only a local matter, but also affects the nationwide discussion about inclusion. According to the UN Convention of 2008, every student has the right to participate in social and school life-regardless of a special need for support. If necessary, parents can apply for school accompaniment to the responsible youth and social welfare office, as the Lichtblick Neumünster e.V. He ensures that children with disabilities or threatening disability receive the support they need to follow the lessons and be successful.

legal bases

The basics for the financing of school accompaniment are also legally regulated. School authorities are responsible for teaching and are obliged to cover the costs for school accompaniment if a child in need of support cannot be funded according to this measure. Here, the regulations refer to decisions of the Federal Social Court, which emphasize that the responsibility for school accompaniment lies in the hands of the authorities - depending on whether an application is made as in previous cases.

The challenges are therefore great, and with the upcoming budget debate in autumn it will be shown whether the administration can develop a sustainable concept that meets the requirements. The political debate about school attendants in dealing with the financial and qualitative requirements remains exciting.