Free learning materials: City provides 250,000 euros
The city of Chemnitz is making 250,000 euros available in the current financial year to implement the judgement of the Higher Administrative Court on the freedom of learning materials. The judges in Bautzen had ruled that parents do not have to pay copying fees at schools, but that this is the responsibility of the school authorities. In addition to textbooks, the school authority also finances copies and necessary workbooks.
"We want to create planning security for parents, head teachers and teachers before the summer holidays," says Lord Mayor Barbara Ludwig. "With the 250,000 euros, we hope to be able to secure the start of the school year."
The additional requirement is to be included in the budget for the following years. Based on current information, the city assumes that this will amount to more than 500,000 euros per year. At the moment, around 700,000 euros per year are available for the 79 schools.
"Together with Mayor Rochold, I will be inviting the head teachers at the beginning of September to discuss the implementation of the ruling," announced Mayor Ludwig.
The Free State's school building programme for 2013/2014 will also be presented at this meeting. "We will be ready to present the measures to the relevant school committee in September," said Barbara Ludwig. There are also plans to involve the public.
The city of Chemnitz can spend around 37 million euros on school refurbishments in 2013/2014, with a funding rate of 40 per cent. "The budget roughly corresponds to the amount we had available for the entire Economic Stimulus Package II and is twice as high as the budget that was available for schools at the time. This opens up considerable opportunities for us," emphasises the Lord Mayor. It is therefore important that the relevant preparations begin in good time so that implementation can start quickly once the state budget has been approved and the municipal budget has been authorised.