VBE teacher's union advises parents on school cone traditions

The teacher's union VBE (Verband Bildung und Erziehung) has issued an appeal to parents in North Rhine-Westphalia ahead of the upcoming school start for approximately 172,000 children.

Union leadership, including state chairwoman Anne Deimel, advised parents not to feel pressured by the size, cost, or quantity of gifts placed inside 'Schultüten' (traditional school cones). Deimel emphasized that the cone should be a personal gesture rather than a competition, stating that a successful start to school should not be determined by a family's budget.

The union suggested that useful small items for daily school life or a personal letter containing well-wishes are often more valuable than expensive gifts. The primary goal is to ensure children feel secure, welcomed, and confident as they begin their new educational journey.