GEW Mobilizes Against Budget Cuts in Education and Social Services

The German Education and Science Workers' Union (GEW) has announced its intention to mount significant resistance against planned budget cuts affecting various educational and social programs in Berlin. These cuts are part of a broader austerity measure being implemented by the coalition government comprising the CDU and SPD.

According to GEW representatives, the upcoming budget cuts are expected to impact numerous initiatives that play a crucial role in the social and educational sector. Gökhan Akgün, the head of GEW in Berlin, has emphasized that the union will continue to escalate protests and mobilize more individuals to oppose these reductions. The union holds the coalition government accountable for these financial decisions, asserting that the cuts must be retracted.

In December, the Berlin House of Representatives approved a budget reduction plan amounting to three billion euros for 2025, affecting nearly all sectors. Among the notable cuts is a reduction of 39 million euros from the budget of the Education Senator, Katharina Günther-Wünsch.

Various organizations involved in social initiatives have raised alarms regarding the detrimental effects of these cuts. Dervis Hizarci from the Kreuzberg Initiative against Antisemitism (KIgA) warned that the reductions jeopardize civil society and, by extension, democracy itself. He highlighted that the cuts are not merely financial but represent a broader trend that marginalizes already vulnerable groups.

The scope of the cuts has been particularly alarming for projects aimed at preventing racism and promoting inclusivity within schools. Significant funding intended for these initiatives is being eliminated, with some programs facing total withdrawal of support.

In response to criticisms from within the SPD, some party members have suggested that they may look for alternative funding sources to sustain certain educational projects, albeit at reduced levels. Hizarci expressed cautious appreciation for these discussions but remains skeptical, noting that many organizations have already received notifications indicating that funding will cease by the end of March. He pointed out that applications for alternative funding typically take an extended time for approval, making it nearly impossible to fill the gaps created by the cuts.

With the current state of affairs, trust in the government and its institutions appears to be dwindling among community organizations, intensifying concerns over the potential long-term implications of these budget adjustments. The GEW, along with its allies, is prepared to escalate its efforts to ensure that the voices of those affected by these cuts are heard and considered in future discussions.