Poll: Majority of Citizens Want Schools to Decide How to Use Their Financial Resources

BERLIN. "Education Needs Trust - And the Courage to Take Responsibility", Writes the Friedrich-Naumann Foundation. The Addressee of the Appeal is

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2025 December 22 . 4:30 PM

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In the picture we can see some school children are standing on the path with school uniforms and... — In the picture we can see some school children are standing on the path with school uniforms and they are holding some papers in their hands and one girl is talking something near the microphone which is to the stand and behind them we can see a fencing wall and to the top of it we can see a shed with some balloons top it.

Poll: Majority of Citizens Want Schools to Decide How to Use Their Financial Resources

A new survey reveals strong public support for structured all-day schooling in Germany. Most respondents favour investment in educational programmes over direct financial aid for families. The findings also highlight a clear preference for school-led budget decisions.

The Civey survey shows 57% of Germans back mandatory, structured full-day primary schooling on multiple days each week. This approach aligns with the upcoming legal right to full-day education, expected by 2026/27. However, no specific schools were named as preferred models for implementation.

When asked about budget control, 65% believe schools should manage their own funds independently. The Friedrich Naumann Foundation supports this view, arguing that educators—who work directly with students—are best placed to make effective decisions. The foundation warns that failing to meet the 2026/27 deadline could further weaken public trust in government action. On financial priorities, 53.9% prefer spending on educational initiatives like daycare and tutoring over direct family payments (16%). The foundation sees this as a shift towards enabling education rather than simply addressing socio-economic gaps. Meanwhile, 74% reject homeschooling, even if exams and curricula stay the same, reinforcing the role of schools as key community spaces.

The survey results point to a clear demand for structured, school-based education reforms. With most Germans supporting independent budget management and full-day schooling, pressure grows for timely implementation. The findings also reflect a broader preference for investing in educational infrastructure over direct financial support.