Schwerin in the book-slip scandal: Where are the 1.8 million euros?

Schwerin in the book-slip scandal: Where are the 1.8 million euros?

A particularly annoying scandal is causing a stir in Schwerin: parents have had to dig deep into their pockets for years to buy workbooks and books for their children. But this is not permitted by law. According to the Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania Ministry of Education and Day Care, the practice of so-called “book notes” violates the school law. As Schwerin.news reports, the city of Schwerin, as the school authority, is obliged to provide all the necessary learning materials, which could mean that parents may be able to reclaim the costs totaling around 1.8 million euros for over a decade.

According to estimates, around 6,000 students in Schwerin are affected, which, with an average cost of 30 euros per child per school year, results in an unlawful burden of around 180,000 euros per year. The city parents' council has already put pressure on people and is calling for this practice to be stopped immediately and for expenses to be reimbursed. Unfortunately, the Ministry of Education sees no possibility of direct intervention, as the procurement of learning materials is the responsibility of the local school authorities.

Legal basis and obligations

In the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, the school law clearly states that schools have a responsibility to provide students with the necessary materials. According to schulministerium.nrw, this fulfills the educational and upbringing mandate that is anchored in Section 2 of the School Act. In addition, Section 96 emphasizes freedom of learning materials, which underlines the obligation to provide learning materials.

The city parents' council has currently also contacted the Ministry of the Interior, which is supposed to monitor compliance with the legal requirements. So far, however, the city of Schwerin is waiting for the city parents' council's demands to be taken seriously. It remains to be seen whether Mayor Badenschier can present a new solution by the 2025/26 school year. The already strained education sector is being criticized.

Reactions and outlook

While parents wait for answers, the Committee for Schools and Culture could take up the issue at its July meeting. The demands on Badenschier are clear: the parents' additional payments made unlawfully must be reimbursed, and the city should decide to handle the learning materials responsibly. The situation raises questions not only of legal obligations, but also of the moral responsibility that the city has towards its residents.

What is certain is that the school landscape in Schwerin urgently needs a boost in modernization in order to meet the demands of students and parents. Let's hope that those responsible finally recognize that there is a need for action here - something is happening!