German Ministry Ends Funding for Children's Reading Program

Germany's Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) will discontinue funding for the nationwide early literacy initiative 'Lesestart 1–2–3' (Reading Start 1-2-3). The program, which provided free books to families with children aged one to three, has been running since 2019 and reaches approximately 700,000 families annually. The decision to halt support was announced without prior public consultation or explanation of alternative measures. The program was administered by the Stiftung Lesen (Reading Foundation) and involved pediatricians distributing book packages during routine check-ups. Critics, including the opposition Social Democratic Party (SPD) and the German Association for Education and Training (Deutscher Bildungsverband), have condemned the move as short-sighted, arguing it undermines early childhood literacy development. The ministry has not commented on whether a successor program is planned.