Cologne Education Policy in Focus: School Structure, Transport, and Investments in February 2026

Education Policy in Motion: School Development, Transport, and Investments in Cologne

In February 2026, the city of Cologne took several decisive steps in the areas of education and public facilities. The focus was on school development in the district of Innenstadt, the transition of the Deutschlandticket for schools, and the realization of new construction projects. These topics not only influence the current configuration of the education system but also the future infrastructure and mobility of students.

School Structure and School Development in the City Center

The Committee for School and Further Education engaged intensively with the design of the school landscape in the city center, particularly with Gymnasium Neustadt-Nord and the Catholic Main School on the Rhine. The Catholic Main School will be closed starting with the school year 2026/27, as the demand for main school places is assessed as low. The administration justifies this with the declining number of students at main schools in Cologne and sees no supply shortages.

Gymnasium Neustadt-Nord, currently housed in the interim location at Ubierring, will be divided into two locations – Gereonsmühlengasse and Dagobertstraße/Niederichstraße – starting from 2028/29. The newly renovated Gereonsmühlengasse will be used for secondary level I, while the Dagobertstraße will be intended for secondary level II. This solution aims to create a long-term structure that meets future demands.

Deutschlandticket for Schools: Transition to a New Ticket Model

Another central topic was the transition of the Deutschlandticket for Schools starting from 01.08.2026. The Council has decided to return to a more cost-effective student ticket model. The goal is to reduce financial burdens for families and municipal budgets. The transition will save around 390,000 euros annually, which is particularly noticeable for students entitled to free travel.

The new contract with the Rhein-Sieg transport association and the Cologne public transport company provides for a model that replaces the subsidized student ticket. The new ticket is expected to cost about 30 euros monthly. Organizational measures such as contract signing, chip card production, and objection periods are required for the transition.

The question of whether students should be allowed to choose individually between regional and nationwide tickets was also critically discussed. The SPD faction called for an examination of legal and organizational possibilities to give parents more flexibility. This could be particularly relevant for families with changing places of residence or professional commitments.

Construction Projects and Investments in Educational Infrastructure

Another highlight was the approval of the modular construction and the simple gymnasium at the Gymnasium Kartäuserwall in Altstadt-Süd. With total costs of 920,000 euros, including 300,000 euros in investment costs and 620,000 euros in consumption costs, the project will be completed by the school year 2026/27. The funding will come from the budget of the Department for School Development.

Another planned construction project is the new comprehensive school and daycare center at Lindweiler Hof in Cologne-Bickendorf. The project provides for 882 school places and 85 daycare places and is planned for completion by the end of 2028. The Montessori Gymnasium is currently housed on the site as an interim use. The new building will be subject to heritage protection and will also include retention areas for heavy rain prevention.

Outlook: Education Policy in Transition

The decisions of February 2026 show that Cologne’s educational policy is undergoing significant change. School development is oriented towards creating structures that are sustainable and flexible in the long term. At the same time, the financing and mobility of students are being given more attention.

In the future, it will depend on how these measures are implemented in practice – particularly whether the transition of the ticket model actually leads to relief and whether school development planning can truly respond to the needs of the city's society. The discussions around main schools and comprehensive schools also show that the structure of educational offerings remains a contentious issue.