Prevent collapse of the nation's social framework
In North Rhine-Westphalia, a significant challenge is looming for municipalities as they strive to create rooms and spaces by 2026, due to the absence of a state implementing law for the funding directive. This issue, which has been long-awaited by the municipalities, is escalating the existing problems in the all-day care sector.
The lack of funding has raised concerns about potential insolvencies in the social sector, with more and more daycare centres, care facilities, and open after-school programmes facing the threat of closure. SPD state parliamentarian Sonja Bongers has voiced her concern, stating that the state government is not planning sufficient funds in the current budget, and that they must not ignore the cry for help from employees of social infrastructure in NRW.
The gravity of the situation was evident in a recent demonstration in front of the North Rhine-Westphalia state parliament, which attracted approximately 22,000 protesters, making it one of the largest in decades. Bongers reiterated her concern, emphasising that the state government's inaction may lead to further closures in the social sector.
The current funding directive, 'Directive on the granting of funds for the expansion of all-day educational and care offers for children of primary school age (Funding Directive All-Day Expansion)', does not have a state implementing law for the legal claim. This omission exacerbates the challenges faced by the municipalities, who are still required to create rooms and spaces on a large scale by 2026 to ensure the legal claim to an all-day place.
The CDU-Green state government is currently grappling with opposition due to plans for substantial cuts in public funding, including €255 million in cuts from 2026, which are affecting various sectors including education and potentially social services. However, the state government's approach to addressing funding and expansion issues in all-day care is not explicitly detailed in the available information.
As the situation unfolds, it is clear that the preservation of social infrastructure is a matter of urgency. The protests and public outcry highlight the need for better allocation of resources to support essential social services, and for the state government to take decisive action to prevent further closures and insolvencies in the social sector. For a more precise understanding of the state government's actions specifically regarding all-day care, it would be necessary to consult local news sources or official government announcements.
The absence of a state implementing law for the funding directive in policy-and-legislation has escalated concerns about potential insolvencies in the social sector, particularly in the all-day care sector. Politics in North Rhine-Westphalia is facing pressure to address these funding and expansion issues, as showed by the large-scale demonstration demanding better allocation of resources for social services under general-news.
