Take action is necessary for Land NRW
In a recent development, Stefan Zimkeit, the financial spokesman for the SPD parliamentary group and a member of the state parliament for Oberhausen-Sterkrade, has raised concerns about the withdrawal of Oberhausen Caritas from school social work. Zimkeit described the move as a "dramatic warning signal" that should not be ignored by the NRW Ministry of Education.
Zimkeit has been vocal about the annual expiration of financial support for social work positions, a problem he believes the state government has been aware of for years. This issue, according to Zimkeit, prevents continuous care for schoolchildren and could have severe implications, especially after the Corona pandemic.
The withdrawal of Oberhausen Caritas, a key service provider in school social work, has further emphasised the need for planning security for school social work employees and an increase in funds and long-term financing for the sector. Zimkeit argues against shifting the financing of school social work onto welfare associations, stating that such a move would disadvantage students who rely heavily on good school social work.
The NRW Ministry of Education has acknowledged Zimkeit's concerns and recognises the importance of stable and continuous support for school social work. They have expressed a commitment to exploring solutions to secure long-term financing, aiming to maintain and strengthen school social services despite the challenges posed by the withdrawal of key service providers. However, specific concrete funding commitments or detailed plans have not been publicly outlined yet, indicating that the issue is still under discussion within the Ministry and relevant stakeholders.
Zimkeit has also criticised the state government for its role in the withdrawal of Oberhausen Caritas from school social work and for refusing to increase financial resources for the sector. He believes that social workers should not be uncertain about their future beyond the summer holidays, and many school social work employees are currently looking for new jobs due to the lack of certainty.
In conclusion, the withdrawal of Oberhausen Caritas from school social work serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for long-term financing and planning security in this vital sector. Zimkeit's calls for action highlight the potential impact on schoolchildren if the issue is not addressed promptly and effectively.
Policy-and-legislation decision-makers must prioritize the long-term funding and stability of school social work, given Zimkeit's concerns about the withdrawal of Oberhausen Caritas and the potentially severe implications on schoolchildren, especially after the Corona pandemic. Politics should focus on achieving planning security for school social work employees and ensuring continuous care for students, rather than shifting financing onto welfare associations that might disadvantage them.
