It is significant what the Adult Education Center (vhs) Karlsruhe in Kaiserallee sets up and achieves for the citizens of Karlsruhe.
Dr. Heike Greczko has been “with heart and soul” at vhs Karlsruhe for 21 years and has been deputy director since 2022. She is currently responsible, among other things, for the program areas of languages, integration, basic education and for project management in the areas of digitalization, innovation, inclusion and basic education.
Ms. Greczko, why is it important that the vhs continues to receive widespread support in the future?
A legitimate question would first be: What exactly does the vhs offer to urban society that is so important? Life means change – and that is true today more than ever. Our times are characterized by rapid, far-reaching developments, and the ability to adapt to them is becoming increasingly important. This is exactly where I see the task of vhs: We offer people the tools to keep up with the times and adapt to new requirements.
How does the increasing use of artificial intelligence affect healthcare? How do I keep myself mentally fit as I get older? How can I brush up on my English skills to be successful in my career? Our offerings provide answers to these and many other questions and support people in their continuous development.
How does the vhs itself adapt to the changes?
Of course, the vhs also has to constantly develop. It must know what people in the city need and meet the demands of modern infrastructure, such as the technical equipment of the rooms. It is also important to offer new course formats such as hybrid courses that adapt flexibly to the needs of the participants.
We dealt with digitalization early on and are currently working intensively on artificial intelligence, for example in language lessons or to support learning to read and write. It’s not just about imparting knowledge, but also promoting practical skills – and, where possible, integrating technologies into our own processes to further improve our service.
Why is financing through course fees and project funds not enough?
In recent years we have successfully raised project funds in order to remain innovative. These funds are important, but only cover specific projects and are not sufficient to finance a contemporary program tailored to the needs of citizens. For the continuous development and operation of the vhs, a reliable financial basis is required.
The participation fees are also not enough – that would be like funding public schools only through school fees. The vhs has a public mission: education for everyone, regardless of income. Nobody wants a vhs that is only accessible to the wealthy.
Lively democracy and diverse opportunities for citizen participation – these are also topics for the work of the vhs?
Yes, absolutely. The role of the vhs goes far beyond pure educational offerings. It is an important place for meetings and exchange – and that is more important today than ever. Humans are social creatures, and learning works best when interacting with others. Especially at a time when many people feel isolated or isolated, this aspect of togetherness is invaluable.
Our courses are not just about acquiring knowledge, but also about talking to others, asking questions, discussing and finding solutions together. This not only strengthens individual self-confidence, but also cohesion in society. Ultimately, it is precisely this social and communal character that makes the vhs so valuable – for individuals and for the entire urban society
Dr. Heike Greczko, Deputy Director of the vhs Karlsruhe | Image: Karlsruhe Adult Education Center
The SPD MP Yvette Melchien sits in the vhs general meeting and makes it clear how important the committed adult education center is for Karlsruhe and the region:
Ms. Melchien, why is it important that the vhs continues to receive widespread support in the future?
“The adult education center is indispensable. Comprehensive education and support in all situations, from offers for expectant parents to old age – the courses at the adult education center in Karlsruhe are as colorful as life.
Like many Karlsruhe residents, I have also personally been able to benefit from vhs’s offerings. And through that Karlsruhe Pass Participation is made possible for everyone. Whether in basic education, German courses or through many other essential opportunities for further training: the adult education center makes a valuable and indispensable contribution to coexistence in our city and is therefore a pillar of our society and democracy.
Through offers like this Marketplace democracy A vibrant democratic common good is promoted, which is also what the Karlsruhe Adult Education Center does for our city.”
Yvette Melchien, SPD city council group Karlsruhe | Image: Christian Ernst
City councilor Adina Geißinger sits for the Volt faction on the Karlsruhe municipal council, is co-chairman and has a clear opinion as to why the vhs Karlsruhe is so eminently important for the fan-shaped city:
Ms. Geißinger, why should/must the vhs continue to receive widespread support?
The vhs is an important educational institution that supports the citizens of Karlsruhe in a variety of ways in terms of (further) education, from languages to obtaining school qualifications. Since evening schools are closing, especially in rural areas, the Karlsruhe location in particular offers an important contact point beyond the urban district. There are also diverse and, above all, often inexpensive offers in the leisure sector. The vhs is therefore a great support in all situations.
Education, lively democracy and diverse opportunities for citizen participation – these are also topics for the work of the vhs?
Democracy and citizen participation will and should not only be shaped by politics, but is everyone’s business. The vhs reaches a wide variety of people and enjoys a high level of trust from citizens. It already offers various courses on the topic of democracy. We would like to see even more free offers here. When it comes to citizen participation in the vhs, we see the vhs as an educational provider that can then lead to better participation by training people in topics such as digitalization. It is also a meeting place that brings people with similar interests together, which can lead to great projects.
Adina Geißinger, co-chair and city councilor of the Volt parliamentary group in Karlsruhe | Image: ps
CDU man Dirk Müller is a city and local councilor, and also deputy parliamentary group leader – and has a decided opinion on the position of the vhs Karlsruhe in the fan-shaped city.
Mr. Müller, why is it important that vhs Karlsruhe continues to receive widespread support in the future?
The vhs Karlsruhe is an important educational institution in Karlsruhe and makes an invaluable contribution, especially in adult education and further training.
Various educational qualifications can be acquired at the vhs Karlsruhe. Overall, the vhs makes a major contribution to social participation with its comprehensive and cost-effective educational offerings.
Such a large offering cannot be financed with the course fees alone, as it also requires a sufficient number of rooms, most of which have to be rented.
Education, lively democracy and diverse opportunities for citizen participation – these are also topics for the work of the vhs?
The vhs Karlsruhe offers an extensive range of topics on the topic of democracy. Further offerings in the areas of lively democracy and diverse opportunities for citizen participation would certainly be desirable in order to be able to give interested people a closer look at the topic of citizen participation in a municipality. A city like Karlsruhe thrives particularly on social interaction and coexistence.
Dirk Müller, deputy leader of the CDU municipal council group
Contact
vhs Karlsruhe eV
Kaiserallee 12e
76133 Karlsruhe
Telephone: 0721/98575-0
Fax: 0721/98575-75
E-mail: info@vhs-karlsruhe.de
Opening hours
Montag: 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., 1 p.m. to 3 p.m
Tuesday: 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., 1 p.m. to 3 p.m
Wednesday: 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., 1 p.m. to 3 p.m
Thursday: 1 p.m. to 4 p.m
Freitag: 9 a.m. to 12 p.m
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