Combating School Absenteeism and Advancing School Development – Education Policy in Freiburg in March 2026

Education in Freiburg: Prevention of School Absenteeism and School Development in Focus

Education policy in Freiburg has become increasingly focused on inclusion, quality assurance, and innovation in recent years. In March 2026, the focus was particularly on measures to combat school absenteeism and the structural adaptation of schools. The Committee for Schools and Continuing Education discussed a wide range of initiatives that combine data analysis with practical interventions.

Prevention and Intervention: The Fight Against School Absenteeism

School absenteeism remains a central issue in education policy – not least because it negatively affects performance, integration, and social cohesion. In Freiburg, the concept of "Every School Day Counts" has been anchored as a guiding principle for a holistic approach. The focus is on interdisciplinary collaboration between school social workers, advisory teachers, and experts to identify and support absence periods at an early stage.

A central component of the strategy is a research project at eight Freiburg vocational schools analyzing the absenteeism of approximately 15,500 students. This project does not only investigate the causes but also the impact of school-based measures. The goal is to develop sustainable prevention strategies integrated into everyday school life.

Another project, "FAIR" (Freiburg Approach for Integration and Regularity in School Attendance), was presented in the meeting. It aims to systematically record absence periods and evaluate the effectiveness of school interventions. The Freiburg regional office supports schools in the development and implementation of concepts.

School Development and Structure: Pestalozzi Realschule Becomes a Community School

Another important topic was school development. The Pestalozzi Realschule will be converted into a community school starting with the 2027/2028 school year. This decision is primarily due to the increasing diversity of students, learning difficulties, and disciplinary issues. The goal is to offer an inclusive full-day program with three performance levels, placing individual support at the forefront.

The name change to "Pestalozzi Community School" is part of a broader educational campus concept in the Haslach district. Teachers are undergoing training in learning coaching to successfully implement the new structures. The conversion is financially supported by the Startchance program, and smaller construction measures are already in planning.

Infrastructure and Space Planning: Schools Adapting to Needs

Alongside school development, specific infrastructure measures were also in focus. Due to growing student numbers, the Sternwaldschule requires additional space. At the same time, the west wing of the Lycée Turenne is being renovated, and the Alte Festhalle is being converted into a cafeteria. These measures are part of long-term planning to adapt spatial conditions to the needs of the student body.

Vocational Orientation: Successfully Entering Apprenticeship

Another central project is the program "Successfully Entering Apprenticeship (EiA)" which has existed since 2007/2008. It supports students at vocational real schools, community schools, and SBBZ to successfully transition into apprenticeship or further education. In cooperation with organizations such as Caritas and IN VIA Freiburg e.V., the program offers a modular, data-based transition system.

The results of the program are impressive: 93% of the supported students from vocational real schools and community schools are in apprenticeship, and 15% of real school students follow this path. A new focus is the promotion of "Future Skills" and stereotype-free career choices. The modules range from career orientation and internships to digital media skills.

Outlook: Innovation and Quality Development as Key

Discussions in the committee show that Freiburg's education policy not only focuses on structural adaptations but also strongly emphasizes innovation and quality development. Platforms like "Innolab.BS" promote the development of new teaching methods, and training sessions and barcamps enable exchange among teachers.

In the long term, the goal is to reduce school absenteeism through a combination of preventive measures, internal school cooperation, and data-driven evaluation. At the same time, school development in Freiburg is being advanced through inclusive structures and improved transitions into the vocational education sector.