Sign up for the editor's
weekly newsletter
- Germany edition
- Change edition:
- France |
- Norway |
- Sweden |
- Switzerland
Reader Offer
February 4, 2012
Government still divided on education vouchers
Published: 7 Aug 10 15:56 CET
Online: http://www.thelocal.de/society/20100807-29013.html
Germany's ruling coalition is still undecided on Labour Minister Ursula von der Leyen's plan to introduce education vouchers for the children of people on long-term unemployment benefit.
- Robust economy leaves long-term jobless behind (31 Jan 12)
- Protesters mount diggers in bid to save trees (22 Jan 12)
- Sarkozy wants France to be more like Germany (15 Jan 12)
The country's highest court declared in February that the method by which calculations were made for the children of people on Hartz IV unemployment benefits were unconstitutional.
Schavan, who, like von der Leyen, belongs to the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), told the Welt am Sonntag newspaper that the vouchers would create better education opportunities for children.
But Bavarian Social Affairs Minister Christine Haderthauer, who belongs to the CDU's sister party the Christian Social Union, called the vouchers "discriminatory," and said that they represented a "collective vote of no-confidence towards the long-term unemployed."
Haderthauer also questioned the efficacy of the vouchers, and said that "problem families" would not suddenly start sending their children to music lessons simply because they had a voucher. "They'll just disappear in some drawer," she said.
The German Association of Cities, an organization that represents the interests of towns in social policy issues, has defended the idea. "In order to secure social participation, and to help children more specifically, we should not simply rely on money payouts," organization boss Stephan Articus said.
Articus added, "It would be worthwhile to research whether the state can secure the basic needs of children using chip-cards and vouchers." A chip-card scheme is currently being tested in Stuttgart.
DDP/The Local (news@thelocal.de)
What do you think? Leave your comment below.
Fark It!
Digg This
Share everywhere
Send to a friend
Printable version
Twitter ThisToday's headlines
Europe’s German agenda
As Europe continues to fumble its way through its debt crisis, can Germany’s reforms from a decade ago really serve as an example for the rest of the Continent? The Local’s Marc Young look back to see an agenda for the future. READ (9 COMMENTS) »
Bestiality brothels spur call for animal sex ban
Animal sex abuse is on the rise in Germany, with bestiality brothels being set up across the country, according to a state animal protection officer demanding stronger laws to protect mankind's furry and feathered friends. READ (19 COMMENTS) »
Hamburg sues over pricey, late concert hall
Hamburg city is suing the firm building its landmark new concert hall for going tens of millions of euros over-budget and being at least four years late. READ (1 COMMENT) »
Germany not responsible for Nazi-era crimes
The United Nations’ highest court declared Friday that modern day Germany isn’t responsible for Nazi war crimes in Italy, saying Rome breached international laws when its courts allowed compensation claims to be made. READ (19 COMMENTS) »
Cake in the face for 'Baron Cut-and-Paste'
Critics of disgraced former German Defence Minister Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg hit him in the face with a big cake on Thursday night, while he was meeting a Pirate Party politician in a Berlin café. READ (14 COMMENTS) »
Most Germans want president to resign
Most Germans now want President Christian Wulff to resign, as the flow of allegations over his behaviour and investigations into his relationships with businesses continues to damage his credibility. READ (4 COMMENTS) »
Thousands of US troops leaving Bavaria
The US military will close bases at Bamberg and Schweinfurt in the German state of Bavaria by 2015 as part of a planned drawdown of its forces stationed in Europe. READ (11 COMMENTS) »
Judge jails wrong-way crash driver indefinitely
A 35-year-old man who deliberately drove the wrong way down a south German motorway and crashed head-on into a car, killing one person has been jailed for 12 years but may be held indefinitely under preventative detention rules. READ (7 COMMENTS) »
More Society
- 03/02 Bestiality brothels spur call for animal sex ban (19 comments) »
- 02/02 Compassion needed for homeless out in cold (1 comment) »
- 02/02 Football legend makes Alzheimer admission (2 comments) »
- 01/02 Tub of lard found fit to eat after 64 years (19 comments) »
- 01/02 Arty Argentine meteorite exhibit falls to earth »
- 31/01 Language school grads 'barely spoke German' (17 comments) »
- 30/01 Art explores discount shopping culture (5 comments) »
- 30/01 Siberian cold puts deep freeze on Germany (11 comments) »
- 29/01 Urban slang is 'more logical' way of speaking (9 comments) »
- 28/01 German held at elite ball protest 'had explosives' (11 comments) »
Highlights
See all ads | Join the Marketplace
-
Get Grocery
Online shop for wide range of authentic Indian food in Germany/EU -
British Allsorts
Your Corner shop in Munich -
British Corner Shop
British Corner Shop is the online supermarket for British Expats. -
tolingo professional translation service
fast and reliable translations in over 35 languages -
Greenback Expat Tax Services
US expat tax preparation services for American owned companies in Germany -
Greenback Expat Tax Services
US expat tax preparation services, specializing in Americans living in Germany -
Keith Tanner - Postbank Vermögensberatung
Your British adviser at major German bank
Sponsored Links
- EXPATTAX - German tax advice in English language - nationwide
- Dolores - Berlin's best California-style burritos!
- Learn German in Germany at one of the largest German schools in Berlin: ESL IH Berlin – booking made easy with ESL – Sprachreisen
- Hundreds of job opportunities for foreign professionals in Germany
- Translation and English writing services
- Find the right relationship
- Your advertisement here
Jobs in Germany, in English
1195 jobs available
784 new jobs this week
0 new jobs today
- IT Infrastructure Architect (f/m)
- Virtual Prototype Engineer - 614514
- UMTS Verification Engineer - 613813
- Health, Safety & Environmental Engineer Cummins Generator Technologies
- Electrical Design Engineer, Ingolstadt
- Controller
- Finance Manager
- Jobs in Ireland, German and English Required
- Clinical Research Associates, Home Based, Germany
- Sales Manager EMEA
Blog
Essentials
Dating
Looking for your own blonde bombshell? Or is the strong, silent type more your
style? Find a German sweetheart here.
Weather
"After clouds comes clear weather," say the Germans. But what about after that? Find out in The Local's weather
section.
Blog
German stuff that's distracting us today.
Noticeboard
Whether you want to buy, sell, hire, announce or promote something, here's the place to do it - completely free of
charge.
Discuss
Debate the news, ask for advice, make friends - or just let off steam.
Register
Register now for:
> Free use of noticeboard
> Special discounts
> Weekly news roundup
> Unlimited use of discuss
News from the Goethe-Institut
- Unruly Art Neighbor as Guest – Polish Art in Berlin
Occasioned by Poland’s EU Presidency, there were a series of exhibitions in Berlin in late 2011. - Different from the Rest of the World – The Berlin Foundation “Respekt!”
Inside knowledge about the techno, punk and hip-hop scenes is collected by the Archive of Youth Cultures. - In the Eye of the Storm – Berlinale Director Dieter Kosslick in an Interview
Some 400 films will be screened over a period of eleven days at the Berlinale. - Glowing cavernous temple to the printed world – the new Stuttgart City Library
The new city library is evoking polarised opinions among the people of Stuttgart. - From Freedom to Music: The Luther Decade Progresses
As part of the Luther Decade, the build-up to the 500th anniversary of the Reformation in 2017 includes eight theme years.
News from Young Germany
- Weimar has the best international university in Germany
The Bauhaus University in Weimar, Thuringia, describes itself as being eager to experiment, open... - New law clears way for recognition of degrees and training earned abroad
The Upper House of the German Parliament, the Bundesrat, has approved groundbreaking legislation... - Deutsche Literatur im Netz
Wer sich im Ausland für deutsche Literatur interessierte, hatte es früher nicht immer leicht, an... - German research vessel begins Antarctic expedition
The Polarstern—a German research vessel operated by the Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and... - Science - a powerhouse of ideas
Scientific insights that can change our world are at the centre of a special scientific conference...
News from DeutschlandOnline
- Fewer animal experiments thanks to nanosensors
Countless mice, rats and rabbits die every year in the name of science – and the situation is... - German employers split over campaign to ban smoking breaks
Employers in Germany have launched a campaign to ban all smoking in the workplace, not just... - Marine Research in Kiel is heading towards new shores
Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel established On January 1, 2012 the former Leibniz... - Federal Foreign Minister Westerwelle: Laying down ambitious and binding rules for the euro
Federal Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle issued the following statement in Berlin today (11...
Noticeboard
- 01/02 Need help to move stuff? Man with a van
- 30/01 VISITING AFRICA CHOOSE GHANA
- 30/01 Wine & Sensor Course
- 28/01 Wanted Partner
- 27/01 Tempelhofer Photographer
- 27/01 Cave House for sale in Granada Region
Toytown Germany
- 06:23 If you see any homeless freezing on the streets
- 05:52 Youtube blocked in Germany, Gema the plonkers
- 04:07 Immigration lawyers in Munich
- 03:14 Oktoberfest jobs
- 02:34 Need a chicken drumstick recipe
- 02:11 Country settings for iTunes Store
- 02:07 Running: Half-marathon training partners
- 02:07 NRW: What are the best and worst things about it?
- 01:28 Is John Terry a racist?
- 01:24 Now Grooveshark is blocked due to GEMA
Hotel reservations in Berlin
Visiting Berlin anytime soon? Book your hotel in Berlin here.
Visiting Berlin anytime soon? Book your hotel in Berlin here.
Rental apartments in Berlin
For home-from-home holiday accommodation, search for a Berlin apartment to rent.
For home-from-home holiday accommodation, search for a Berlin apartment to rent.
Trade CFDs with InterTrader.com
Start trading shares, equities, forex, etc. No commission on equities; Low min. margins. Apply for a CFDs account now!
Start trading shares, equities, forex, etc. No commission on equities; Low min. margins. Apply for a CFDs account now!
Your comments about this article: