Doris Rauscher, a politician from Ebersberg, has been a member of the Bavarian State Parliament since 2013, and has been chairwoman of the Committee on Labor and Social Affairs, Youth and Family for three years. In Ebersberg, since her daughter started primary school 22 years ago, she has been a key figure organizing the school commuting services. In an interview, she explains what was much easier here in the past and why you can’t advertise this honorary position often enough.
SZ: Ms. Rauscher, what has changed since 1999 when you started?
Doris Rauscher: I started with eight helpers and four transitions, now there are 48 volunteers and eight transitions. Every day there is a volunteer at every crossing, in front of the Aldi at the entrance to the village there are even two. That means 45 assignments a week. And sometimes people get sick, go on vacation, are prevented from doing jobs … Here I am glad that we also have helpers as jumpers.
How many school helpers would you need to completely cover the city of Ebersberg?
I need five more people right now. With around 100 first graders in 2021, nobody came forward to join my team this year. Unfortunately. Thankfully some of them stand several times a week.
Was that different in the past?
Fifteen to twenty years ago, parents were much more willing to take on this service. Sure, the employment of women has increased, which, by the way, I support very much, and the leeway in the morning for such an honorary position is often very limited. At the same time, it can be observed that many children are personally accompanied to school by adults for the entire first year. The question arises as to whether the 40 minutes a week would not also be possible to take over a transition yourself.
Isn’t that still a lot of effortd?
Once a week is enough, the holidays are free. If you are unable to do so, jumpers are deployed and the service can also be shared with another volunteer.
Are the school helpers all parents of primary school children?
Not at all. Three quarters of the helpers have long since stopped having young school children – it wouldn’t work without my over 50 and over 60 helpers, many have been on the street for more than ten years. The oldest is already 82. For two years, the asylum seekers were also my salvation. When there were language courses for them and greater inclusion in the labor market, they ceased to exist. But that was a win for everyone.
In addition to “normal” zebra crossings, you also have traffic lights. You might think that you can do without helpers with trowels there.
The basic question is: where do you make a transition? Typically on the main traffic arteries, which are often equipped with a traffic light switch. Now you have to know that up to the age of eight the coordination skills of children are not yet so pronounced. For them it means too much to watch out for the traffic and friends at the same time with the heavy satchel on their backs. Maybe it’s dark or they are wearing an umbrella. Then they need adults to support them.
How does the presence of the school helpers affect the drivers?
Unfortunately, some have the tendency to rush over it in rush hour with dark yellow in order to make maximum use of the traffic light phase. People in luminous vests ensure significantly more visibility. In addition, the school helpers are allowed to take advantage of the marginal moments and stay in the street longer than the green phase lasts.
What about in the other district communities?
My impression is that it is the same everywhere, everyone is fighting.
Could it be because of the form of recognition?
We hold an annual thank-you dinner, which is very popular. I know from one church that they pay a small allowance – they don’t do it any easier either. We discussed this years ago in Ebersberg: Do we want paid volunteer work?
What was the answer?
No! We do it for the children, for the city of Ebersberg, not to earn money from it.
Could one still get on the way to school now? How would the process be?
Basically you can start anytime, all year round. You contact me directly, after which you complete a two-hour training course with the police. Usually they are there in the fall, but they kindly make the briefing flexible too. Then I clarify which day and which transition would be suitable and off we go.
What is the key point for you – besides the safety of the children?
Volunteering is not about money – service to the general public or personal concern should be in the foreground. So many rely on the school helpers, are beneficiaries of this honorary position. It would be nice if some could give themselves a push to get on board themselves. The way I see the matter – and have always lived: You are not just a consumer of a society. It lives from give and take.