Future of school social work in Halle: Urgent funding demands!

Future of school social work in Halle: Urgent funding demands!

In Halle (Saale), a current city council resolution is providing a breath of fresh air in the discussion about school social work, which is in an uncertain situation in the region. How dubisthalle.de reported, funding from EU and state funds will expire in August 2028 at the latest. In view of this threat, the city council passed a resolution with an overwhelming majority of 30 votes in favor and 22 abstentions that calls for school social work to be permanently anchored in law.

The resolution calls for school social work to be recognized as a state responsibility and to be converted into a fully funded state program by August 1, 2028. Other important demands include the continuation of existing projects, the extension of contracts and the recognition of the city of Halle's expertise in determining needs. The initiative also suggests establishing school social work at all types of schools that want it.

The urgency of the situation

The need for these measures is underscored by alarming figures: around 15 percent of school leavers in the 2022/2023 school year did not have a secondary school leaving certificate, while school refusals have increased in recent years. Representatives of the coalition factions emphasize that school social work is crucial to avoid school dropouts and to support families in crisis situations.

Although the resolution does not announce any financial commitment, it sends a strong political signal beyond the city limits and emphasizes the need for educational equality in Saxony-Anhalt. Initiatives such as the School Social Work Action Alliance and the “We will be LOUD!” campaign. strongly support these demands and show that civil society pressure is growing.

Educational opportunities and social background

Another aspect that should not go unmentioned is the socio-economic status of the students. Loud bpb.de Educational opportunities play a central role in participation in society. Access to education in Germany is often influenced by social background and immigration history. For example, in 2022, over 14 percent of students had parents from low-skilled backgrounds, while 32 percent of students came from academic backgrounds.

In addition, the microcensus shows that school choice is strongly influenced by family background. At high schools, 49 percent of students had parents with a university degree; in contrast, at secondary schools only 8 percent were children of academics. These inequalities highlight the challenges that need to be overcome in education policy.

In times when the financial security of educational institutions is at risk, it is even more important to support initiatives that promote equal access to education. We can only hope that the Halle city council's resolution can initiate the necessary changes so that all children receive the support they deserve.