Educational Policy in Aachen: Priorities and Developments in March 2026

Educational Policy in Aachen: Priorities and Developments in March 2026

In the city of Aachen, the Committee for School and Further Education engaged intensively with the future of education in March 2026. Numerous proposals, discussions, and decisions demonstrated how diverse and dynamic educational policy is in the region. From the redesign of the school landscape to financial planning – the topics extend well beyond the simple question of class sizes.

Municipal Class Size for the School Year 2026/2027

One of the central decisions in March 2026 was the determination of the municipal class size for the upcoming school year. The committee unanimously decided to establish 121 first-grade classes at municipal primary schools. This number takes into account not only demographic developments but also pedagogical, organizational, and structural aspects.

In addition, the GGS Brühlstraße and the KGS Marktschule Brand were assigned to set up an additional first-grade class each. The school principals had requested this, and the spatial prerequisites are in place. The average class size is 24.46, which is considered a good starting point for high-quality primary education.

Name Change of Montessori Schools

Another important topic was the name change of the three municipal Montessori cooperative primary schools. Until now, all three schools had the same official name, which led to confusion. Following decisions by the school conferences and unanimous approval by the Committee for School and Further Education, the new names were set as follows:

• Montessori School Mataréstraße, Municipal Cooperative Primary School – Primar –
• Montessori School Eilendorf, Municipal Cooperative Primary School – Primar –
• Montessori School Reumontstraße, Municipal Cooperative Primary School – Primar –

This change was necessary because the schools had already been using the street names as distinguishing features in practice. The name change has no financial implications as it is purely administrative in nature.

Donation and Climbing Pyramid at GGS Am Höfling

A project that directly impacts school life is the donation of a climbing pyramid by the Förderverein (support association) of the GGS Am Höfling. The Committee for School and Further Education unanimously accepted the donation. The cost of acquiring the climbing pyramid, amounting to €17,255.00, will be covered by the Förderverein. The installation costs will be financed from the budget allocated for schoolyard renovations. The acquisition is generally maintenance-free, resulting in no ongoing costs.

The climbing pyramid will be installed as a new play equipment on the front schoolyard and is intended to strengthen the school's focus on mobility and playful learning. The application for the acceptance of the donation was submitted on 21.11.2025 and was implemented with the approval of the committee in March 2026.

Introduction of a PRIMUS School and New Educational Concepts

Another forward-looking project that was intensively discussed is the introduction of a PRIMUS School in Aachen. This school model, already established in other regions, is intended to enrich the southern part of Aachen with a new perspective. The PRIMUS School is planned as a school with extended joint learning, focusing on practical vocational orientation, individual support, and cooperation with local companies, the Chamber of Crafts, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and universities such as the FH Aachen and the RWTH Aachen University.

The committee tasked the administration with further specifying the possibilities for implementation and site-related issues. In addition, dialogue formats with neighboring schools and educational institutions are to be developed. The goal is to create a high-quality, reliable, and transparent educational offer with a full-day structure that promotes equal opportunities and social inclusion.

Conclusion: Educational Policy as a Central Component of Urban Development

The decisions and discussions of the Committee for School and Further Education in March 2026 show how closely educational policy is linked to urban development in Aachen. From shaping the school landscape to financial planning and the involvement of Fördervereine – each measure contributes to strengthening and future-proofing the educational landscape of Aachen.

The introduction of a PRIMUS School, the renaming of the Montessori Schools, and the donation of the climbing pyramid are just a few examples of how the city of Aachen is responding to the challenges of the future. Education remains a central key to the development of a liveable and high-performing city.