Education and Infrastructure in Aachen: Digitalization, Inclusion, and Mobility in Focus

Education and Infrastructure in Aachen: Digitalization, Inclusion, and Mobility in Focus

Education policy in Aachen in April 2026 was marked by a wide range of initiatives that highlight innovation and inclusion. Digitalization, the integration of new students, the provision of full-day care places, and the establishment of school streets were central topics that were intensively discussed and decided on in recent weeks.

Digital Education: The Euregional Center for Digital Education (EZdB)

The Euregional Center for Digital Education (EZdB) has established itself as a central player in the digitalization of education in Aachen. With its 100th anniversary and an extensive event program, the EZdB not only emphasized the historical significance of its existence but also looked to the future.

With the introduction of the digital tool "Konzept-O-Mat" and the development of a mobile solution (MeKo-Box) for kindergartens, the EZdB is focusing on practical, digital support for educational concepts. At the same time, it is preparing the use of VR glasses in teaching and the establishment of a "Digital Making Place" in the MediaLab. These projects signal a clear trend: Aachen not only wants to work with digital tools but also to establish a digital culture in education.

Integration: Newcomers in Aachen Schools

Another central topic was the integration of newcomers into the Aachen school system. In the school year 2024/25, 258 children from 61 different countries were advised and placed, including from Ukraine, Turkey, Syria, Albania, and Afghanistan. In the current school year 2025/26, 142 children have already been advised, indicating a continuous increase in the integration efforts.

The distribution across school types shows that secondary schools and primary schools have taken on the main responsibility, with coordination by the municipal integration center being crucial. The collaboration with schools and the opening of a branch of the Gemeinschaftshauptschule Drimborn help ensure that all children can be integrated into the school system promptly. This is not only a success for integration but also an indicator of the resilience of the Aachen education system.

Mobility and Safety: The Establishment of School Streets

The city's mobility strategy is another key topic, particularly in terms of the safety of children on their way to school. The GGS Brühlstraße was selected as the first school street, with its establishment to be carried out via a traffic test and partial legal withdrawal of the road. The goal is to reduce traffic in front of the school and increase the safety of students.

In addition to the establishment of school streets, measures such as parent stops, the improvement of visibility areas, and communication with parents are planned. The police support these measures but emphasize the need for physical barriers such as security grilles or retractable bollards. These initiatives show how mobility and education policy are closely linked and how Aachen is trying to improve the daily lives of families.

Full-Day Education: A Continuously Growing Commitment

The expansion of full-day care places is another important topic. With a coverage rate of 86.30% in the open full-day program and a care rate of 90.66%, Aachen has already achieved a high standard. Nevertheless, a continuous expansion is necessary, especially in the coming years, as the legal entitlement to an open full-day program gradually applies to all grade levels.

For the school year 2026/2027, a total of 6,905 full-day care places are planned, which corresponds to an increased demand of 250 places. The city has also committed to further expanding the care of children with special educational needs. These developments show that Aachen is actively preparing for the future of full-day education and considers both quantitative and qualitative aspects.

Outlook: Education Policy in Transition

The developments in April 2026 show that Aachen is actively orienting itself towards the future of education. Digitalization, integration, mobility, and full-day education are not only isolated topics but rather part of a comprehensive education concept that focuses on inclusion, innovation, and safety.

With programs such as the Startchancen-Programm, which spans over ten years and is structured into three funding pillars, Aachen also shows that education policy must be planned long-term and financially secured in order to be effective in the long run. The investment in digital tools such as Sdui, the implementation of school streets, and the expansion of full-day care places are not only short-term measures but also investments in the future of Aachen's education.