Over 100,000 sign petition against German government's cuts to migrant education counseling

By Gustav Cattapan, Berlin

More than 100,000 people signed a petition against the complete cancellation of the educational counseling program GF-H (Garantiefonds Hochschule), which was presented to politicians on Wednesday.

Protest at the Paul-Löbe-Haus

Several dozen people gathered on Wednesday in front of the Paul-Löbe-Haus in Berlin's government district — retirees with rattles, young people with placards and balloons, standing before large banners. Their future, and that of many other migrants, hangs in the balance due to the federal government's plans.

A child ran in circles carrying a wall clock set to five minutes to midnight, blowing a whistle. Music from the speakers was turned down, and a woman in a pink rain jacket took the microphone, leading the chant: "Education is a human right — cutting it is unjust!"

Funding Cut After 50 Years

After more than 50 years, the federal program Bildungsberatung Garantiefonds Hochschule (GF-H) is set to lose its funding from the Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth at the end of the year. According to the ministry's plan, financing for future migrants will end on December 31, 2026. The ministry did not respond to taz's inquiries by the editorial deadline.

In the last budget, the program received €16.3 million — well below the required €20 million. That funding is now also being eliminated.

In recent months, the GF-H team launched a petition that garnered more than 100,000 signatures. The petition was presented in front of the Paul-Löbe-Haus and later handed over to politicians.

What the Program Does

"The educational counseling has worked for decades for educational equity, integration, and securing skilled workers," said Dorothea Weber.

Since 1972, the GF-H has helped integrate migrants — including people from Vietnam, Romania, Ukraine, Syria, and former East German refugees — into the labor market. The program offers:

• Language courses
• University preparation
• Assistance with recognition of foreign qualifications
• Scholarships

Politicians Respond

A CDU member of parliament and two from the SPD accepted the thick binder of signatures from Weber. All three emphasized the program's importance but noted the complexity of the current budget and the need for careful prioritization. Smiles were exchanged for the photos.

Jamila Schäfer of the Greens also received a copy of the 100,000 signatures. She criticized the budget priorities:

"The prioritization is difficult. The tank discount cost €2.5 billion, and in 2025 we had a tax cut that primarily benefits the richest one percent."

Voices of Those Affected

The GF-H has advised more than 600,000 people over its lifetime, including over 36,000 migrants between 2020 and 2025.

Sofiia Usenko, 19, fled Ukraine and said: "Through GF-H, I was able to have my degree recognized in Germany and study."

Daria Bobrova, 23, also fled Ukraine and holds a bachelor's degree in architecture. She added: "I can't afford my German course with my part-time job." Without a C1 certificate, she cannot work in Germany.

Anna Wiehe migrated from Poland to Germany in the 1980s and received a GF-H scholarship. Now a counselor herself, she criticized the cuts:

"People are being pushed into non-academic jobs, regardless of their prior education. They deserve a choice."

A Recurring Fight

This is not the first time the GF-H has had to fight for survival. Three years ago, the program faced a similar threat and was saved by a WeAct petition.

"Our support keeps growing. People don't understand why the educational paths of so many young people should be destroyed," said Dorothea Weber.

Photo: Michael Schick / imago — The educational counseling program has worked for decades to ensure educational equity so that migrants can study.