Educational Policy in Cottbus: Focus on Avoiding Free Periods and Combating Right-Wing Extremism in March 2026

Educational Policy in Cottbus: Current Challenges and Areas of Action

Educational policy is a central focus of municipal work in Cottbus. In March 2026, the Committee for Education, Sports, Culture, and Sorbian/Wendish Affairs particularly addressed three key topics: the avoidance of free periods, the strengthening of vocational and succession orientation, and the handling of right-wing extremism in schools. These topics reflect not only current educational policy priorities but also deep-rooted societal developments.

Avoiding Free Periods: A Challenge for School Organization

The inquiry AN-42/26, which occupied the committee, dealt with the use of an offer aimed at avoiding free periods. Free periods are a long-standing problem in school practice, placing a burden on both teachers and students. They negatively affect the continuity of lessons and can lead to an increased organizational workload.

The city of Cottbus has taken various measures in recent years to reduce free periods, including better planning tools and promoting cooperation between schools. In March 2026, it was examined whether existing offers are being used sufficiently and whether additional measures are required. The discussion emphasized that the avoidance of free periods remains not only an organizational but also a structural and political issue.

Vocational and Succession Orientation: Securing the Future through Early Support

Another central agenda item was vocational and succession orientation. In a time when the labor market is changing rapidly, it is becoming increasingly important to sensitize students early on to potential careers and to support them in choosing their professions.

In Cottbus, special attention is given to succession in regionally important professions—particularly in crafts, care, and technology. The committee discussed how cooperation between schools, companies, and the city can be optimized to create practical orientation offers. Topics of discussion included, among others, the role of internships, dual training models, and the integration of vocational schools into the regional educational structure.

Right-Wing Extremism in Schools: Prevention and Action Strategies

Another important topic was the handling of right-wing extremism in educational policy. The committee discussed a report on the revision of the external action plan on right-wing extremism. This plan is part of a comprehensive strategy to detect and counter right-wing influences in schools at an early stage.

The discussion showed that prevention and awareness play a central role. This includes not only specific curricula and training for teachers, but also the strengthening of democratic competencies among students. In Cottbus, cooperation with civil society organizations and experts from the educational landscape is pursued in a partnership spirit.

Outlook: Education as a Central Field of Action for Cottbus

The March session of the Committee for Education, Sports, Culture, and Sorbian/Wendish Affairs in Cottbus underlines that education is a key issue for the city's future viability. The topics of avoiding free periods, vocational orientation, and right-wing extremism are not to be viewed in isolation, but illustrate the complexity of educational policy challenges.

In the future, it will depend on how well the city of Cottbus integrates these topics into its overall strategy and how it strengthens the participation of parents, teachers, and the younger generation. Only in this way can education in Cottbus remain a central building block for social and economic development in the future.