School Development and Mobility in Essen: Focus on April 2026

School Development and Mobility: Essen's Educational Policy in April 2026

In April 2026, several central topics in the fields of education and mobility were in focus in Essen. The city initiated measures for school development, addressed urgent capacity needs, and tested innovative solutions to improve school route safety. At the same time, discussions about the future of public library services also took place.

The New Tiegelschule: Progress and Challenges

The construction of the new Tiegelschule (Tiegelstraße 29) was a central topic. The school, which was scheduled to be completed in summer 2026, was affected by significant cost increases. Total costs rose to 32.32 million euros (gross), with the additional costs mainly resulting from construction disruptions, water damage, and increases in wages and material prices. Funding was partly secured through reallocations from the "Alfred-Krupp-Schule Anbau" project. Despite the challenges, responsible officials emphasized that the new building would have a significantly lower CO₂ footprint than the existing structure, thereby contributing to climate-friendly goals.

School Space Requirements and Comprehensive School Places: Urgent Action Required

Urgent needs for comprehensive school places were discussed in districts II, VI, VIII, and IX. Particularly in southern Essen, new locations were urgently required. A suitable plot in Kupferdreh (Prinz-Friedrich-Straße) was identified as a potential site for a five-track comprehensive school. In addition, the suitability of the location as a NRW sports school was examined. The administration was tasked with developing a concept for the long-term capacity assurance of school places at the UNESCO School as a gymnasium.

School Streets and Pick-Up/Drop-Off Zones: Safety for Children at Grundschule Nordviertel

Another focal point was the trial of a temporary school street at Grundschule Nordviertel in Peterstraße / Gertrudisstraße. The goal was to increase the safety of students and optimize traffic flow during pick-up and drop-off times. To this end, three pick-up and drop-off zones were set up, allowing parents to park and avoid the no-parking restrictions directly in front of the school gates. The measure was part of the research project Be-MoVe and was to be evaluated in the first year. In addition, an expansion into a permanent pedestrian zone was considered.

Reversal of a Square Naming: Historical Responsibility in Educational Policy

In an emotionally charged debate, the District Committee I decided to revoke the naming of the "Pater-Christoph-Höttges-Platz" in the Südostviertel district. The background was serious allegations against the former priest, who is accused of having committed and concealed child abuse. After the deadline for legal appeals expired, the signs were removed. The decision underscored the city's responsibility to review historical names and, if necessary, correct them – also in the city's educational and cultural sectors.

Outlook: School Development and Mobility in the Coming Months

In the second half of 2026, further steps in school development planning can be expected. The administration will submit reports on vocational colleges and possible campus solutions by the end of the third quarter. In addition, the search for further comprehensive school locations in southern Essen remains planned with high priority. In the field of mobility, the success evaluation of school streets and pick-up/drop-off zones will be crucial in developing long-term solutions for school surroundings.