The German Adult Education Association (DVV) has criticized that since the end of November the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) has no longer processed applications from people who want to enroll in an integration course.
“ The halt was neither announced nor explained by BAMF. To this day we still receive no information on how long this situation will last” said Sascha Rex, director of the DVV’s division for principles and association development, in an interview with the “Frankfurter Rundschau” (Wednesday edition). Approval is required for a person to attend an integration course unless the Jobcentre has obliged them to do so.
When asked by the “Frankfurter Rundschau”, Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt (CSU) confirmed that a review of admission applications is currently underway in accordance with a provision in the Residence Act. He did not disclose why the review is taking place or how long it will last.
Rex describes the situation as “dramatic” for integration course providers nationwide. “It means that only a very small number of already planned courses can begin, and willing people are left waiting” he said. The same applies, for example, to young Ukrainians who wish to enter the labour market quickly.
Without approvals, courses for participants who are obliged to attend-such as those identified by the Jobcentre as candidates who should quickly re‑enter the workforce-cannot start. This hampers the “Job‑Turbo” initiative announced by the coalition government for Ukrainians, which is being undermined by the Interior Ministry’s directive.