SPD wants school start bonus for older families

Munich (dpa/lby) – The SPD parliamentary group in the Bavarian state parliament wants to support less well-off families with a state bonus of 250 euros when they start school. “We want real freedom of learning materials for equal starting opportunities for all children in Bavaria,” said parliamentary group leader Holger Grießhammer.

“We want every child in Bavaria to have a good start in school, no matter how big their parents’ wallets are,” added Grießhammer. “The first year of school for their child is a real challenge for some families when the costs for initial equipment add up to several hundred euros,” said the SPD parliamentary group leader. He spoke in favor of including workbooks, pens and computers in the free learning materials.

The demand from clubs and charities that already provide school supplies is high every year and is far from being able to cover the demand. Time and again, it is the case that first-grade students in particular do not have the necessary school supplies.

The result: children feel left behind. This will be to the detriment of the level of education and ultimately to the success of the German economy.