Federal funding for school extensions is mainly going unused, with states utilizing just 12% of the provided resources.
The federal government has pledged 2.75 billion euros for the expansion of school full-day infrastructure, with 2.525 billion euros coming from the 2021 Full-Day Funding Act. However, the expansion is progressing slowly, with states drawing down only about one-tenth of the pledged funding as of now.
Baden-Württemberg has drawn down 33.6 percent of the funds, the largest amount among the states so far. Saxony follows closely with 45.7 percent. On the other hand, Saxony-Anhalt has drawn down only 0.75 percent, and Berlin and Thuringia have not drawn down any funds yet. Rhineland-Palatinate is also facing challenges, with time-consuming coordination in municipalities causing delays in their full-day infrastructure expansion.
The legal claim to a full-day place for all first-graders applies from summer 2026. This deadline puts pressure on the expansion progress, as states need to make significant progress in the coming years to meet the demand.
Several factors might be contributing to the slow progress in drawing down funds for full-day school infrastructure. Administrative procedures in Germany can be complex and time-consuming, with different states having varying levels of bureaucratic efficiency. The rules governing how funds are allocated and spent might also be stringent, requiring detailed planning and approval processes before infrastructure projects can begin.
States might prioritize different projects or areas of infrastructure development, causing delays in specific sectors like full-day school infrastructure. Economic conditions such as budget constraints or broader economic challenges could also impact a state's ability to invest in infrastructure projects, including those for full-day schools. Legal challenges or regulatory requirements might slow down the implementation of infrastructure projects funded by such acts.
In Berlin, the full-day infrastructure expansion is subject to extensive planning processes due to construction investments. Berlin does not have an agreement on the funding guidelines until the end of 2024, making applications possible only from 2025 onwards. A stronger outflow of funds in Berlin is expected in 2026.
To better understand the situation, it would be helpful to consult specific documents or reports related to the act and its implementation across German states. It is essential to address the challenges faced by states to ensure that the full-day place legal claim for all first-graders is met by summer 2026.
Photo: via dts Nachrichtenagentur
Note: This article is based on available information and does not contain speculative opinions or unrelated information.
