Education Policy in Dortmund – Analyses on Schools, Kindergartens, and Infrastructure in April 2026

Education Policy in Dortmund: Focus Areas, Investments, and Challenges in April 2026

Education policy in Dortmund has been shaped in recent weeks by comprehensive planning, infrastructure investments, and intense discussions on the future of early childhood care. With the start of the 2026/27 school year and the strategic expansion plan up to 2035, the city has made it clear that it is addressing challenges in school development, early childhood education, and building infrastructure.

School Development: From Primary Schools to Special Needs Schools

School development in Dortmund is a central focus, particularly in terms of capacity and the implementation of the latest school law amendments. For the 2026/27 school year, the registration process for primary school admissions has already been completed. Primary schools such as the Aplerbecker Primary School, Harkort Primary School, and Uhland Primary School serve as key entry points, with the maximum number of students per school ranging from 56 to 150. The average class size is 25 students, although for mixed-grade teaching arrangements, there is no fixed class size.

Another focus is the main secondary school in Wickede, which will be used as a branch site of the Max-Wittmann School until 2027/28. Starting from 2028/29, it will be operated as an independent special needs school with a focus on cognitive development. The investment for this includes approximately 2.4 million euros, with the additional costs being offset by reduced funding from other projects.

Early Childhood Education: Expansion and Strategic Planning

The expansion of early childhood education is an urgent task, as the care coverage rate for children under three years of age is to be increased to 60% by 2035. In 2025, there was already a shortage of 952 U3 places and 266 Ü3 places. To address this, a total of 6,998 additional childcare places are planned by 2035, distributed across 84 projects. The city of Dortmund has also established a support program for kindergartens such as "Kleine Strolche," which has applied for funding for the construction of an outdoor area.

Another important project is the "Little Bamboo" concept, proposed by the St. Clemens kindergarten. It aims for holistic child development and is part of a broader strategy to strengthen early education in Dortmund.

Infrastructure and Urban Planning: School Construction, Traffic, and Accessibility

In infrastructure policy, Dortmund has several projects in focus. The multi-sports hall in the Renninghausen school complex is a key element of the city's sports facilities. In addition, the changing rooms at the Helene-Lange Gymnasium are being expanded to improve hygiene standards and usage for club and school sports.

In the area of traffic safety, Dortmund has implemented an important project with the school street at An der Margarethenkapelle. From Monday to Friday, a temporary ban on motor vehicles is in effect between 14:45 and 16:15 to increase safety in front of schools. In addition, the Münsterstraße between Heiligegartenstraße and Mallinckrodtstraße has been redesigned as a pedestrian zone, resulting in the loss of 58 parking spaces.

Citizen Participation and Youth Policy: Citizen Budget and Student Proposals

Dortmund is promoting greater public participation through the Citizen Budget. Although not legally mandated, this instrument is being discussed and evaluated in Dortmund to strengthen citizen participation. An application has already been submitted in the district of Hombruch, and the legal framework is being examined.

In addition, youth forums such as the Youth Forum Hombruch are actively involved in educational policy. Student proposals from the Harkort Primary School, GSB, and RKRS are being integrated into planning. This shows that the city of Dortmund is not only relying on state structures but also on the active involvement of the younger generation.

Outlook: Challenges and Opportunities

Education policy in Dortmund faces major challenges, particularly in terms of the increasing demands on infrastructure, school equipment, and early childhood education. At the same time, the investments and reforms open up new opportunities to sustainably improve the quality of life in the city. The strategic expansion plan up to 2035 and the increased citizen participation are key milestones in this process.