Will the German government save integration on the cheap? VHS Winnenden sounds the alarm

The Winnenden Adult Education Centre (VHS) is sounding the alarm: the federal government is planning to drastically cut funding for integration courses. This would have serious consequences for the integration of migrants in Germany.

The VHS Winnenden offers integration courses for migrants who want to learn German and get to know German culture. The courses are funded by the federal government. However, the government is now planning to cut funding for these courses by 20%. This would mean that the VHS Winnenden would have to reduce the number of courses it offers and the number of participants it can support.

"This would be a disaster for the integration of migrants in Germany," says VHS director Michael Stürmer. "Integration courses are essential for migrants to learn German and to get to know German culture. If the government cuts funding for these courses, it will make it much more difficult for migrants to integrate into German society."

The VHS Winnenden is not the only one sounding the alarm about the government's plans. The German Association of Adult Education Centres (DVV) has also warned that the cuts would have serious consequences for the integration of migrants.

"The government's plans are a clear sign that it is not taking the integration of migrants seriously," says DVV president Ulrike Cölfen. "Integration is a long-term process that requires sustained investment. If the government cuts funding for integration courses, it will send a very negative signal to migrants and make it more difficult for them to integrate into German society."

The government has not yet made a final decision on the cuts. However, the VHS Winnenden and the DVV are urging the government to reconsider its plans.

"We call on the government to invest in the integration of migrants," says Stürmer. "Integration courses are an essential part of this process. If the government cuts funding for these courses, it will be sending a very negative signal to migrants and making it more difficult for them to integrate into German society."