Heike Sabel
Heidenau. Production schools combine school and production. Young people who have problems with the "normal" school system are given a second chance here. They have often dropped out of school. In the production schools, they can catch up on their school-leaving qualifications within a maximum of 24 months and at the same time learn the basics for a future career. This is not always successful, but it often is.
There are currently four such schools in the district - the "Stellwerk" run by Arbeiterwohlfahrt in Stadt Wehlen, the Hofladen in Heidenau run by CJD, the "Ambos" run by AMS GmbH in Dippoldiswalde/Freital and the "Sprosse" in Heidenau. These four schools account for almost a third of all schools in Saxony. The AMS school in Heidenau was founded in 2023, making it the youngest and only school run by a GmbH - and the one that will no longer receive funding from 2025. Like the school in Wehlen at the end of 2022, it is now fighting for its future - and that of 38 young people.
Ten percent of school leavers without a qualification
The funding must be applied for every two years. It consists of 90 percent from the state and 10 percent from the district of Sächsische Schweiz-Osterzgebirge. The decisive factor is the commitment of the district, without which the 90 percent is not available. All four schools applied in early summer 2024 for the next two years. Part of the application is the statement from the district, which is linked to the payment of the 10 percent. It was precisely this statement that AMS did not receive for Heidenau, says Managing Director Norbert Rokasky.
The district has determined the need, but only sees it for a maximum of three production schools, which it supports. The district office does not provide specific figures. According to the AMS, there were 38 production school students in Heidenau in October, with two starting in March 2023. The required minimum of 24 was reached for the first time in July 2023 with 25. The demand for production schools remains high and is growing, says the federal association. For many years, more than 10 percent of school leavers have had no qualifications and many up to 29-year-olds have no vocational qualifications. The production schools are aimed at precisely these people.
AMS won school with three conditions
The AMS was initially supposed to receive funding for 2023 - instead of the Wehlen school. This was then revised and AMS won its Heidenau school from the Sächsische Aufbaubank. To do so, it had to fulfill three conditions: Proof of need, participants must not come from the district and it must pay the ten percent that the district would otherwise pay itself. The first was not difficult for Managing Director Rokasky, and the second was not difficult because the AMS has its origins in Dresden, is well connected there and the Heidenau location is not far from the S-Bahn and bus stop, making it easy to reach. The GmbH took out a loan for the ten percent, which amounted to 80,000 euros. This meant that the district of Heidenau was not involved from the outset and, as the participants do not come from the district, does not see a need.
Rokasky says that the participants could just as well come from the district. Just recently, an inquiry was received from Altenberg. Demand seems to be the key question, which cannot be answered without concrete figures. "In principle, every organization in the district is free to set up a production school," says Kati Kade (CDU), the district administrator's deputy. The district supports initiatives that make it easier for young people to enter the job market. However, only the three for which there is a need are co-financed.
Federal association: Support until the end of the school year is important
The Federal Association of Production Schools is calling for long-term institutional programs instead of short-term measures lasting two years. "Politicians are not recognizing the comprehensive needs of the target group and are not sufficiently addressing them, despite the facts that have been known for years, such as a shortage of skilled workers and high school drop-out rates," says Maelene Lindgren, Managing Director of the association. The inadequate and unclear funding creates permanent uncertainty among young people, cooperation partners and employees of the school authorities. "Many employees at independent providers in the social sector are happy if their job is extended for two years."
"It is most critical for the twelve participants who are being prepared for their secondary school leaving certificate in the spring."
Norbert Rokasky - Head of the "Sprosse" production school in Heidenau
AMS in Heidenau is now facing this situation. The "Sprosse" has four employees. According to Rokasky, four employees of the GmbH who are missing elsewhere will have to be laid off due to social selection. For them and the 38 production students, it will be over on December 31, 2024 if there is no solution. The "Sprosse" is already no longer accepting participants. That would be irresponsible in view of the uncertainty, says Rokasky. "It is most critical for the twelve participants who are being prepared for their secondary school leaving certificate in the spring." It remains to be seen whether other schools will accept them. "Anyone who sets out to shape their life and finds prospects in a production school should not be thwarted, as this can have fatal consequences. I think it would be immensely important to continue funding until the end of the school year, even if the offer is not approved," says Lindgren, Managing Director of the association. The AMS has objected to the rejection. It is not possible to take out a loan again, says Rokasky.