Education Policy in Darmstadt: Digitalization and Space Constraints in Focus

Digitalization as a New Infrastructure

Darmstadt's digital strategy is a central milestone in the development of the city's administration. With a goal set for 2030, Darmstadt has adopted a comprehensive agenda that places digital transformation at its core. The strategy includes nine action fields and 44 concrete measures, including the introduction of a central project management system and a Digital Project Management Office (Digital-PMO).

A key focus is the digital transformation of administrative services, with the aim of offering all municipal services digitally by 2027. The implementation of e-records, online document pick-up stations, and a chatbot for citizen inquiries are exemplary of the goal of end-to-end digitalization. The new control model, to be implemented from October 2025, aims to improve coordination and efficiency.

The digital strategy is not isolated but part of a broader agenda that will also integrate sub-strategies such as a data and AI strategy. Darmstadt aims not only to create a modern administration but also to become a pioneering city for digital technologies—with the vision of making citizens' lives more efficient and comfortable.

Space Constraints at Schools: Expansion of the Georg-Büchner-School

The Georg-Büchner-School, a four-track gymnasium with a focus on STEM and since 2025 a "Regional Talent Center," is facing spatial constraints. Due to rising student numbers and the reversion of most gymnasiums (except the Lichtenbergschule) from the eight-year to the nine-year system, the situation at secondary schools in Darmstadt is particularly strained.

The school, currently educating 929 students, requires additional rooms by 2026/27. The planned capacity increase will be achieved through the construction of interim container classrooms. These will be built on the eastern parking area and in front of the NaWi building and must be ready for use by Easter 2026. The containers are equipped with heat pumps and insulation to consider climate protection aspects.

In the long term, the renovation of the listed building from the 1950s is necessary to sustainably address the spatial needs. EB Immobilienmanagement Darmstadt has been commissioned to initiate planning and secure funding.

Inclusive Education: School-Based Participation Assistance

Another important topic in the committee was school-based participation assistance (THA), a service entitlement of the integration support for young people with disabilities. Currently, 102 THA assistants are active at the 21 primary schools in Darmstadt. The goal of the DA.THA framework agreement is to optimize the cooperation between the Youth Office, primary schools, and service providers.

THA assistants are permanently integrated into the class structure and promote an inclusive classroom climate. When multiple students are entitled to support, joint service provision ("Pooling") is possible. The agreement also defines clear standards for service delivery and coordination.

Special attention was given to transitional situations—such as changes between primary schools, special needs schools, or the transition to secondary level I. THA is intended to ensure continuity and consider individual needs.

Outlook: A City in Transition

The decisions of the Committee for Education, Schools, and Digitalization show how complex the challenges in Darmstadt are. On the one hand, it is about the urgently needed expansion and renovation of schools, on the other hand about the digitalization of the administration and the development of inclusive educational structures.

The digital strategy is a long-term process to be implemented by 2030. The school development planning and the THA framework agreement are milestones on the way to a more inclusive and digitally connected city.

What remains is the need to communicate these processes transparently and to actively discuss them with citizens. The information event for the Education Center at the Heinrich-Hoffmann-School on 26.02.2026 is a step in this direction.