Roland Kufner Re-elected to Lead CSU Education Efforts in Deggendorf

At a recent assembly of the CSU working group School, education and Sport held at Gasthof Höttl, Roland Kufner secured another term as district chairman. The meeting drew notable figures, including Renate wasmeier, the 3rd Mayor and District Councilor, and Bernd Sibler, CSU district chairman and district administrator.

District Administrator Sibler Highlights Educational Investments and Growing Youth Welfare Concerns

Bernd Sibler provided an overview of the district’s educational policies,emphasizing its strong support for general,vocational,and special needs schools. He pointed to the construction of the Deggendorf vocational school centre and the ongoing renovation of the Osterhofen secondary school as evidence of this commitment. Though,Sibler also acknowledged the increasing demands on youth welfare services as a significant challenge for the district.

The Importance of Music Education: A Call to Action

Drawing on his experience as President of the bavarian Music Council, Sibler passionately advocated for enhanced musical education.He argued that fostering creative skills through music is crucial for students’ overall development. Sibler voiced concerns about the new elementary school curriculum, specifically regarding the allocation of time for subjects like art, music, and design, where schools have the discretion to prioritize.

Strengthening musical education is vital in the formation of creative skills.
Bernd Sibler, President of the Bavarian Music Council

Research consistently demonstrates the positive impact of music education on cognitive abilities and overall academic performance. For example, a study by the University of southern California’s Brain and Creativity Institute found that musical training accelerates brain development in children, notably in areas related to language acquisition and motor skills.

Review of past Initiatives and future Collaborations

Roland Kufner presented a report on the activities undertaken between 2023 and 2025. These included both in-person events and digital discussions,featuring prominent figures such as CSU European candidate Selina Vandieken and Thomas Erndl,a member of the Bundestag. Kufner also highlighted collaborative efforts, such as the event with the University of Applied Sciences and Culture (AKH) of the CSU Niederbayern and the Dr. Georg-Karl Prize awarded to the Servumer Winzer, organized in conjunction with the JU district association. Moreover, he mentioned a tour of the Fig, conducted with master carpenter Roland endl, Bernd Sibler, and Christian Wagner, in collaboration with the Working Group on Public Service (AK OED) of the CSU Niederbayern. Kufner affirmed his commitment to continuing these partnerships across various CSU divisions.

New Leadership Elected Unanimously

Under the guidance of Renate Wasmeier, the election committee oversaw the unanimous re-election of Roland Kufner as AKS district chairman. Roswitha Kaufmann and Johannes Handlos will serve as his deputies. Waltraud Eder was elected as district champion, and Patrick Buchner as the district leader. Claudia Pritzl, Sabine Rössert-Koye, Christian Wagner, and Roland Stieglmeier-Maidl were chosen as assessors. Birgit Anna Rainer and Sebastian Rainer will act as auditors. Kufner expressed his gratitude for the show of support and his anticipation of continued collaboration.

Addressing the Persistent teacher Shortage

members identified key priorities for the future, including maintaining and enhancing general, vocational, and academic education within the district. They also emphasized the importance of promoting lifelong learning and tailoring educational development to meet the evolving needs of the region, particularly in light of digital transformation. Stefan Zitzelsberger, chairman of the JU district, added the promotion of school social work and career guidance to the list of priorities. Kufner stressed that attractive educational opportunities, along with adequate vocational training and study places, are essential for attracting families and strengthening the local labor market. Though, he acknowledged that the shortage of qualified teachers remains a significant challenge.

The teacher shortage is a nationwide issue. According to the National Education Association (NEA), the United States alone needs to hire hundreds of thousands of new teachers each year to meet the growing demand.This shortage is particularly acute in STEM fields and special education.

Focus on Media and Vocational Training

In closing, Roland Kufner expressed his appreciation for the dedication and cooperation of all involved. Looking ahead to the period between 2025 and 2027,the AKS plans to concentrate on specific thematic areas,including media and vocational training. The working group aims to actively contribute to the advancement of educational policies at the local level, ultimately benefiting the citizens of the district.