Education Policy in Bottrop: Expansion, Contributions, and Structures in April 2026

Bottrop invests in education: School development and structures in the April 2026 session

Education policy in Bottrop has changed significantly in April 2026. Due to ongoing population and student growth, as well as spatial constraints at several schools, the city has decided on a variety of measures. These decisions not only reflect the current need for action but also long-term planning within the school development strategy.

School construction and spatial capacity: Expansion of Gustav-Heinemann and Marie-Curie Secondary Schools

The largest investment in the education sector is the planned new construction of Gustav-Heinemann Secondary School and the renovation of Marie-Curie Secondary School. Both schools are reaching their physical limits, with the Gustav-Heinemann Secondary School urgently needing construction measures due to the outdated pavilion and the Marie-Curie Secondary School due to the use of rooms from the Youth Office, which are to be demolished.

The planned investment amount is around 24.3 million euros. In addition, a container solution is being used as an interim measure. The construction measures are necessary to accommodate the planned additional classes and respond to the increasing number of students. Space requirements were determined through site visits and discussions with school principals, taking into account the need for classrooms, full-day school rooms, and IFÖ (integration and support) rooms.

Class size limits and inclusion: Flexibility in the system

In April 2026, several applications for limiting the maximum class size at different schools were processed. For example, the Secondary School in Kirchhellen requested to limit the class size to 28 students in regular classes and 27 in inclusive classes. According to § 46 Abs. 4 SchulG NRW, these measures are permissible if the conditions for joint learning are met and at least two students with special educational needs are included in each class.

The Willy-Brandt Comprehensive School and the Gustav-Heinemann Secondary School also received approval for a higher class size, with the legal conditions being fulfilled in each case. These decisions show how Bottrop is trying to preserve its inclusion goals despite spatial constraints and at the same time not endangering educational quality.

Parental contributions and childcare offers: Clearer structures

Another focus of the April session was the amendment to the regulation on the collection of parental contributions for extracurricular childcare offers. Contributions will now be more closely adjusted to the parents' income and increased by 3% annually. For example, monthly cost contributions for early and late childcare will be charged for the 5th grade, while the midday meal will be charged separately.

Contributions are due monthly and can be reduced or waived under certain conditions, such as social benefits or multiple children. This regulation aims to create transparency and fairness in the financial system of open full-day schools (OGS).

School social work and support services: Stabilizing structures

The city of Bottrop also plans to continue school social work for the 2026/2027 school year. With funds from the state of North Rhine-Westphalia and own budget funds, 13 full-time equivalents will be financed, with two positions also covered by the inclusion lump sum. School social work is present at 30 different locations and serves as a central point of contact for students, parents, and teachers.

In addition, 21 positions for the Federal Voluntary Service were applied for, but there is a problem with response rates. The city of Bottrop has therefore reorganized the distribution to cover the needs in schools.

Summary and outlook

The April 2026 session shows that Bottrop is actively responding to challenges in education. The investments in school construction, the flexibility in class sizes, the clarification of parental contributions, and the securing of support services such as school social work are decisive steps to make the educational landscape future-proof.

In the coming months, it will be particularly important to implement the construction measures in a timely manner and to inform parents about the new contribution structures. In addition, inclusion policy remains a central focus, which must also be taken into account in personnel planning and financing.