Education in Lohmar: Focus on Infrastructure and Student Numbers

School Policy in Lohmar: Infrastructure Development and Statistical Foundations

The city of Lohmar has increasingly focused on the modernization and expansion of its educational infrastructure in recent months. In February 2026, several decisions and discussions took place that will shape both the short- and long-term development of the local education system.

The School Committee: Transparency and Planning

On 03.02.2026, the second meeting of the School Committee took place on the agenda of which several relevant topics were discussed. One of them was the presentation of student numbers from the past six school years. This statistic is not only an indicator of the current population and demographic developments in Lohmar, but also essential for the future planning of resources, teachers, and facilities.

In addition, awards to schools were presented, which can serve as recognition of educational commitment and quality in schools. The committee also engaged intensively with the expansion of the primary school canteen in Lohmar, which will be examined in more detail in the following sections.

Canteen Expansion at the Primary School: Costs, Planning, and Objectives

The expansion of the primary school canteen is a central project that the city of Lohmar is implementing. The administration has already initiated concrete planning. The company Vinci has submitted a proposal for the expansion, including a premises terrace and the expansion of the second floor.

The total cost of the project amounts to 2,474,000.00 euros gross, with the planning phase alone costing 413,920.08 euros. The furnishing of the canteen is estimated at 13,220 euros, and the modernization of the kitchen and serving area at about 280,000 euros.

Funding will mainly come from the special federal fund for infrastructure and climate neutrality. Of the allocated 12,765,015.32 euros, 50% (6,382,507.66 euros) can be used for educational and childcare infrastructure. This underlines the political priority of promoting family-friendliness through improved childcare options.

No Direct Participation of Students – Criticism and Perspectives

One aspect that sparked debate in the public discussion is the lack of student participation in the decision-making process. Although the target group is directly affected by the measures, no involvement of young people has been planned so far in the planning process. Critics argue that especially in projects affecting the daily school routine, the perspectives of students should also be included to increase acceptance and practical applicability.

However, the city administration argues that in this phase, technical and financial aspects were primarily in focus. In later phases, the involvement of students is certainly conceivable—for example, through workshops or idea collection.

Outlook: Education Policy as a Central Factor for the Future

The decisions and discussions in February 2026 show that education and infrastructure remain central topics in Lohmar. The expansion of the canteen is not only a project to improve school conditions, but also a step toward sustainability and climate neutrality, as modern facilities and energy-saving measures are incorporated into the planning.

In the long term, it will depend on whether Lohmar develops its education policy not only in terms of infrastructure, but also pedagogically and participatively. Only in this way can the city ensure that it remains attractive for families in the future and offers high-quality education for all.