Still a lot of excitement about the (lack of) childcare in Graz. City Councilor for Education Kurt Hohensinner urgently calls for further measures from the red-red-green coalition.
THANK YOU This year’s nursing year is not “dry” yet, but the biggest troubles should have been avoided. On the one hand there are remaining seats, on the other hand the city council will decide on Thursday a new financing model: “Half-day Plus” allows private organizations to take care of a small group of up to ten children in the afternoon when leading a group half a day. Above all, this system is intended to create relaxation where daily operations have been reduced. “With these measures we assume that there will be a solution for all parents who are still affected,” says the person responsible City councilor Kurt Hohensinner party.
ÖVP is calling for more childcare packages
For him, however, one thing is clear: “Solving the current challenge is not enough. It needs urgent further measuresHe refers to his March package of measures, which has not yet been implemented: Formative offensive, reduction of bureaucracy and better pay for educators and supervisors they are the top priority. “I appeal to the city coalition to free up the necessary financial resources”.
Additional million from state funding
Hohensinner does not accept the tight budget: “The funds will be available thanks to the package of measures of the state”. He makes two points: on the one hand, picking up the overlap time of one hour in the midday shift. This was introduced in municipal institutions, resources provided in the post register. “Now that this overlap period has been financed across Styria, the funds will be released.”
The much bigger part does the social relay of parental contributions, which should apply to crèches throughout Styria in autumn 2023. Graz already had such a scale in recent years and the lack of individual rates has been compensated for by the city. With the introduction of a social ladder at the national level, the country will now take on this shortcoming. “Overall, we are hiring additional funds from From 5 to 7 million euros per year, “says Hohensinner.
According to the city council, 100 percent of these funds must be reserved for the education sector. “They must not be used to plug budget gaps. Hohensinner insists on his request for an extra 200 euros per month for all educators, both for municipal institutions and through the pricing model for private providers.” I think we need to clarify the commitment. here. Pedagogical work with our children must be worth something to us, “says Hohensinner.
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