Fight for the classroom: Magdeburg's schools in acute need!

Fight for the classroom: Magdeburg's schools in acute need!

In Germany, planned legal changes ensure great concern in Magdeburg, especially with regard to primary schools and community schools. The proposed bill stipulates that from August 2027 a minimum number of 25 students in the first classes of primary schools should be necessary. This regulation represents a drastic change, since the current regulation provides for an average class frequency of 22 students to ensure short ways of school and close -up schooling.

Especially primary schools in the less densely populated districts could be threatened by this change in their existence. Schools with normally two trains could be at risk in their capacity, which means that fewer children could be trained. These requirements could lead to overcrowded classes, since new classes can only be set up with over 28 students, which would have a negative impact on the pedagogical conditions. Lutz Trümper, a person responsible in the city, wrote to the Ministry of Education to point out the important importance of the current class frequency.

community schools in danger

The problem affects not only primary schools, but also the secondary schools. The draft law also stipulates that at least three class trains per year in community schools will be necessary in Magdeburg in the future. This requirement represents a significant challenge for three existing schools - "GMS Thomas Mann", "GMS Heinrich Heine" and "GMS Thomas Müntzer" - that are structurally unable to meet this requirement. Without special permits from the State School Office, the existence of these schools is seriously threatened, which could possibly lead to a loss of school diversity in the city.

In addition to the threat of schools, massive financial losses also come to the fore. As stated in the draft law, the guest school contributions should be abolished from 2027. These contributions are an important source of income for Magdeburg because they represent payments for pupils who come from other municipalities to the school in the state capital. According to estimates, the city is confronted with a deficit of at least 1.5 million euros.

In the last school year, around 3,200 students from other municipalities in Magdeburg were taught, which makes up almost 12 % of the total total number of students. According to Minister Eva Feußner, the waiver of the contributions is presented as a step to reduce bureaucracy. The city of Magdeburg, on the other hand, is clear against this regulation, since it brings additional personnel and financial burdens, especially since the city will have to adopt applications for schooling outside the school district in the future.

These developments urgently require a discussion about the importance of school structures and the financial framework in Magdeburg. The selection of schools and the quality of education are at stake, and the city administration appeals to those responsible to rethink this decision. The upcoming changes are seen by many as a potential step backwards for education in the region, which will cause diverse reactions from the population and educational experts. For more information about the current situation, a look at www.metingpoint-jl.de .