CDU groups want a fundamental reform of Bafög

Berlin (dpa) – The Central and Economic Union (MIT), the Junge Union (JU) and the Circle of Christian Democratic Students (RCDS) want a fundamental reform of Bafög and German education funding. “The promise of possible progress through education continues to fail due to the financial opportunities available to young people and the potential for economic growth is coming under increasing pressure,” said a paper co -arrangement with the three groups and special departments. CDU.

“Education in Deutschland is underfunded. The inappropriate Bafög increase in the traffic light increases social inequality,” said Lukas Honemann, the federal chairman of the RCDS, to the German News Agency. This is why the CDU must make the issue of education and especially education funding a priority. “An education fund instead of the 9.1 percent interest on the KfW loan will help with problems in financing education in all situations.”

The two-page document is available from the German Press Agency in Munich and is likely to be included at least in part in the CDU’s federal election programme. The CDU election program should be ready before the beginning of January, as long as the election is held as planned in September next year.

Application for special living expenses

The paper goes on to say that the funding of vocational training requires constant change to the usual grants. “The large regional differences in housing costs need to be taken into account through the cost of living.” Despite the high inflation in recent years, the Bafög requirement levels have not been changed from 2022. This, just as housing costs are rising, means that fewer and fewer young people will be able to study .

At least for the upcoming winter semester, the traffic light coalition has increased both the basic requirements and the housing allowance at a flat rate for students. Together there is an increase from 812 to 855 euros. The increase became effective for students on August 1.

National Education Fund and more scholarships

In addition, the three groups want to establish a new national education fund. This should allow all citizens to fund education for the duration of vocational training, study or further education – regardless of their income or assets. However, after graduation, the money must be paid back in full.

To improve funding options, more scholarships from state and private institutions are needed, the paper says. The scholarships should be as unbureaucratic as possible and adjusted regularly according to the rate of inflation. The fourth pillar of the document is better interest rates for student loans. “In particular, it is necessary to ensure that interest rates do not pose a threat to students’ existence,” he says.