Minister Tischner Pushes for Adequate Budgeting for Third Free Kindergarten Year in Thuringia
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Minister calls for financial support to implement a third year of fee-free kindergarten education - Pusher's Proposal for Financial Allocation Continues for Year Three of Complimentary Contributions
In the drafting of the double budget for the years 2026 and 2027, Thuringia's Minister of Education Christian Tischner (CDU) is urging state parliament members to support sufficient funding for the agreed introduction of the third free kindergarten year.
"A third free kindergarten year, serving as a social and family policy measure, should not be attained at the expense of necessary investments in the quality of early childhood and school education," Tischner expressed to the German Press Agency. Recently, Tischner reiterated his stance that the introduction of this kindergarten year should not result in reductions in other areas of his department's budget.
Costs are projected to range between 30-35 million euros annually.
During the state budget drafting for 2025, the CDU, BSW, SPD coalition partners, and the Left parliamentary group jointly agreed to implement a third free kindergarten year in the Free State by August 1, 2027. The associated expenditures must be included in the double budget for 2026/2027.
According to Thuringia's Minister President Mario Voigt (CDU), this double budget will be the first budget to carry the distinct signature of the Brombeer coalition. The recently approved state budget 2025 draft was still prepared by the previous red-red-green government.
- Children
- Thuringia
- Christian Tischner
- CDU
- Double budget
- Education
- Drafting
- Erfurt
Wider Perspective: Early Childhood Education in Germany
- Age Range: Kindergarten in Germany generally accommodates children between the ages of three and six, though attendance is optional and more common in the later years.
- Funding Benefits: Germany's education system is well-funded, with a strong emphasis on early childhood education. Although specific funding details for Thuringia's third free kindergarten year remain undetailed, a broader perspective highlights that early childhood education is prioritized.
- Quality Impact: Quality of early childhood education contributes significantly to a child's readiness for school and lifelong educational outcomes.
Budget Implications for Education Quality
Funding for early childhood education has numerous implications for the quality of education:
- Inclusion and Access: Adequate funding enables more children to access early education, promoting social and cognitive development for a more inclusive education system.
- Teacher Training & Resources: Enhanced funding supports improved teacher training and resources for early childhood education, leading to better care and education.
- Long-term Outcomes: Early education provides the foundation for future academic achievement. A well-funded early education system can lead to better academic performance in later years.
Local Funding Considerations
For precise details on the funding status in Thuringia, it would be advisable to consult local government or educational authority resources. However, Germany generally places high importance on early childhood education due to its long-term benefits for both the child and society as a whole.
- Minister Christian Tischner (CDU) emphasizes the need for adequate funding in the double budget for 2026 and 2027 to implement the agreed third free kindergarten year in Thuringia, as part of its social and family policy.
- During the drafting of the budget, Tischner insists that the introduction of the third free kindergarten year should not lead to reductions in other areas of his department's budget.
- The costs of the third free kindergarten year are projected to range between 30-35 million euros annually.
- The proposed budget for 2026/2027, which will bear the distinct signature of the Brombeer coalition, must include the expenses related to the third free kindergarten year, as agreed by the CDU, BSW, SPD coalition partners, and the Left parliamentary group.
