Private schools in Schleswig-Holstein: A trend with hurdles!

Private schools in Schleswig-Holstein: A trend with hurdles!

Elmshorn, Deutschland - The number of private schools in Schleswig-Holstein is booming! According to the Ministry of Education, 37 new general educational schools have been founded in the past 20 years, and the number of pupils gave rise to over 2,000. A look at the Leibniz private school in Elmshorn shows how education is designed here differently: math lessons in English, school uniforms in blue and yellow and flexible cell phone use - learning is redefined here! Headmistress Barbara Manke-Boesten emphasizes that her school cannot be compared to public institutions because she has more freedom in teaching.

private schools in the upswing

The development is not only locally, but also to observe nationwide. In Germany, more and more students are visiting private schools, as an evaluation of the Federal Statistical Office shows. In Schleswig-Holstein, the number of private students increased from 14,700 to 16,800 in the past ten years. However, the proportion remains relatively low at 5.8 percent in the school year 2023/2024 compared to other federal states. However, the parents have to dig deep into their pockets: in the Leibniz private school, the fees cost between 160 and 190 euros per month, plus additional costs for materials.

education and financial hurdles

The decision for a private school is often a financial challenge. Cathrin Bitterschulte, mother of three children at the Leibniz private school, reports that she rely on family support in order to manage the costs. The motives for switching to a private school are diverse, but one of them unites parents: the formation of their children comes first. However, Claudia Pick, state parents' advisory board, warns of the risk of educational justice and demands better equipment from state schools so that good education does not depend on the wallet. The Ministry of Education emphasizes that private schools must ensure that all children have access regardless of the financial situation. But the reality remains: If you can't afford the private school, you often fall by the wayside.