Enlarge image
students in Leipzig
Photo: Jan Woitas / dpa
Only about every tenth student is currently receiving student loans - far too little, not only the students themselves think.
The corona pandemic has exacerbated the financial hardship of many young people.
The »Bafög 50« alliance was therefore formed from students, pupils, union youth and party-affiliated university groups.
Representatives today handed over a petition with almost 30,000 signatures to the Federal Ministry of Education (BMBF).
In it they call for a comprehensive reform of student loans.
"The fact that the flat rate for housing at 320 euros is well below the average rent for students and that support such as the heating cost subsidy is only available for the almost eleven percent of students who can receive student loans shows how unrealistic action is taken here," says Daryoush Danaii from the board the »free association of student bodies« (fzs).
Although Federal Education Minister Bettina Stark-Watzinger recently announced a reform, the measures do not go far enough for many.
Lone Grotheer, a member of the fzs board of directors, criticizes the requirement rates »not even being raised by the level of inflation« and demands that Minister Stark-Watzinger should »adapt the reform plans to the realities of life of the students.«
The minister had always emphasized that the planned reform, which includes raising the parental allowance, was only a first step.
More should follow.
The first part of the reform should take effect in the coming winter semester.
olb/him