"CDU defends its current school-based program"
The Christian Democratic Union (CDU) in Bergisch Gladbach has proposed a new educational initiative, the "Immediate School Program," which aims to provide quick and practical solutions for schools. The program, costing €4.4 million per year, is viewed by the CDU as an investment in the future of education.
Alexander Felsch, the CDU mayoral candidate, stated that they have concrete ideas to implement after the local election, with the goal of strengthening schools noticeably and quickly. The CDU denies that their program is intended to replace regular school construction but to supplement it sensibly.
Under the CDU's "Immediate School Program," each primary school in Bergisch Gladbach would receive €100,000 annually, and each secondary school would receive €200,000. The city, according to the CDU, has room for maneuver, and the budget shows that money is available if clear priorities are set.
The funds for the program are earmarked for local use, intended for practical needs such as broken furniture, outdated technology, defective toilet facilities, and new classroom equipment. The CDU argues that providing each school with a set amount of funding simplifies the process and allows for quick action, rather than calculating the exact amount for each school.
The funds needed for the "Immediate School Program" correspond to the investments planned in the 2023/2024 budget for streets and bike paths, which were not used by the Red/Green administration in either year. The program is also intended to support planned school renovations.
Alexander Felsch criticizes the Greens for failing to address the city's real problems by not investing one percent of the city's budget in immediate measures for schools. The CDU emphasizes the need for those who wish to shape things to take responsibility and make bold decisions, rather than engaging in symbolic politics.
The CDU accuses the Greens of confusing pragmatism with populism in their reaction to the "Immediate School Program." The Greens have claimed that the funds for the program are intended for class trips, a claim the CDU denies, stating that the funds are for improving the foundation of the educational landscape.
The CDU sees their program as a first step towards providing concrete help to schools, with plans for further contributions after the local election. The party stresses that their program is about providing real resources for schools, not just setting priorities on paper.
- The CDU's education initiative, the "Immediate School Program," is a concrete policy-and-legislation proposal that aims to provide practical solutions for education and self-development by allocating €100,000 annually to primary schools and €200,000 to secondary schools.
- Alexander Felsch, the CDU mayoral candidate, criticizes the Greens for their lack of investment in immediate measures for schools, arguing that they should be investing at least one percent of the city's budget towards learning and self-development, rather than engaging in symbolic politics.
- The CDU's "Immediate School Program" is designed to provide schools with resources for practical needs, such as repairing broken furniture, updating technology, fixing defective facilities, and purchasing new classroom equipment, as part of their vision for education and self-development.
