Education in Hamm: Renovation Plans, Digitalization, and Funding in Focus

Education in Hamm: Renovation Plans, Digitalization, and Funding in Focus

The city of Hamm addressed a wide range of topics in the areas of education, sport, and leisure in March 2026. At the core were not only structural renovations and investments, but also the long-term planning and funding of the educational landscape. The decisions reflect both ambitions and challenges – from digitalization and integration to the provision of inclusive and sustainable educational offerings.

School Construction Measures: Investment in the Future

The city of Hamm has decided on a comprehensive renovation and expansion of its schools to meet the growing demands on space, technology, and safety. Under the NRW Infrastructure Act and the Digital Pact, investments amounting to approximately 14.1 million euros are being made. Numerous schools benefit from these investments, including the Kettelerschule, the Theodor-Heuss-Schule, and the Elisabeth-Lüders-Berufskolleg.

Another highlight is the renaming of the Hermann-Gmeiner-Schule to "Sonnenschule, Gemeinschaftsgrundschule der Stadt Hamm." This step shows the city's willingness to highlight the identity and pedagogical approach of the institution more prominently.

The Friedrich-List-Berufskollegs and the Eduard-Spranger-Berufskolleg are also receiving extensive investments this year. A learning workshop valued at 4.989 million euros is planned for the Eduard-Spranger-Berufskolleg. The renovation of the sports hall at the Freiherr-vom-Stein-Gymnasium (450,000 euros) and the expansion of the Konrad-Adenauer-Realschule to four classes are examples of the investments Hamm is making to secure the future of its educational institutions.

Digitalization and Media Literacy: New Paths in Education

In addition to infrastructure, Hamm has also focused on the digitalization of education. The FDP motion to extend the Student AG Fund and the funding pool for digital school projects until 2027 was unanimously approved. This support is particularly important for the integration of digital learning methods into teaching.

Furthermore, digitalization is also being advanced in the administration and libraries. The Central Library is being further developed as a central learning and meeting place, and digital media offerings such as Onleihe and Pressreader are to be expanded. In the Music School Hamm, the I-Mikel app is used to digitize lessons and simultaneously improve communication between teachers and parents.

The Volkshochschule Hamm (VHS) has also established a blended learning offer and plans to set up a digital learning environment for its course offerings. These measures reflect Hamm's ambition not only to modernize infrastructure but also to strengthen pedagogical competence in handling digital tools.

Funding and Support: Challenges and Solutions

Funding educational institutions remains a central challenge. For the area of schools, 126 euros per 1,000 euros of central finances are allocated in the budget. In addition, a budget security concept for 2026–2030 with a volume of 61.7 million euros was approved.

The city of Hamm also uses external funding programs to close financial gaps. Hamm receives around 105 million euros from the NRW Infrastructure Act over twelve years, with 4.4 million euros allocated for digital measures. In addition, the city benefits from funding from the ESF (European Social Fund) and the Startchancen program.

Despite these measures, the funding of OGS (Open Full-Day School) and ÜMI (Afternoon Care) remains a challenge. At several primary schools, funds are still lacking to guarantee the grade-based legal entitlement to full-day offerings from 2026/27 onwards.

Sport and Leisure: Investments in Movement and Inclusion

In addition to education, sport also plays a major role in Hamm. The renovation of the Jugendgästehaus Sylverberg into the "House of Sports" has been approved – a key step to provide sports clubs and the population with better facilities and a forum for exchange and development.

Under the federal program SKS (Renovation of Municipal Sports Facilities), investments amounting to 9.244 million euros are being made. Numerous sports facilities, including artificial turf pitches and the Franz-Voss Sports Hall, benefit from this. In addition, the rental of the Friedensschule Sports Hall to the Hamm-Lippstadt University will generate annual revenues of 120,000 euros.

The Strengthening Pact for Sport, which will be funded with 1.7 million euros annually from 2026, is another signal of the importance of sport in Hamm. The aim is to further strengthen the diversity, inclusion, and sustainability of sport.

Conclusion: A City in Transition

The decisions made by the city of Hamm in March 2026 show how strongly education, sport, and leisure are at the center of municipal policy. The investments in structural and digital infrastructure as well as the long-term financial planning demonstrate the will to actively shape the future of the city. At the same time, challenges such as the funding of full-day offerings or the recruitment of staff in daycare centers remain.

For the future, it will be crucial to consistently implement the planned measures, to strengthen the participation of parents, students, and clubs, and to use financial resources optimally. Hamm has set itself on a path – the coming months will show whether this path is also heading in the right direction.