Schwäbisch Gmünd Mayor Proposes Student Labor to Save Money, Sparking Child Labor Concerns
Schwäbisch Gmünd's mayor, Richard Arnold (CDU), has sparked controversy with proposals to reduce costs in education. The suggestions come amidst debates about mandatory military service, compulsory duties, and reduced revenues following federal reforms and the debt brake.
Arnold's proposals include having students clean their own schools. This, he believes, will instill a sense of responsibility while saving the city approximately 4.5 million euros annually. Currently, this amount covers cleaning services for schools, kindergartens, and other public buildings. The mayor also suggested using children for road construction and waste collection, further aiming to eliminate the need for school buses.
Interestingly, teaching children about cleanliness is already part of the school curriculum. However, the mayor's suggestions have raised concerns about the potential increase in child labor in the region. Some argue that these duties could be seen as a form of exploitation, especially given the ongoing debates about mandatory military service and other compulsory duties.
Schwäbisch Gmünd's mayor, Richard Arnold, has proposed using students for various tasks to save money and teach responsibility. While these suggestions aim to cut costs, they have sparked debates about potential increases in child labor and exploitation. The final outcome remains to be seen as discussions continue.
