Reorganized School Yards – Education and Leisure in Solingen

Multifunctional Use of School Yards: A New Era in Solingen

The Committee for Education and Continuing Education has adopted a fundamental new regulation for the use of city-owned school yards in February 2026. The new School Yard Usage Regulation is not only a legal framework but also a step toward better utilization of urban infrastructure for education, leisure, and sustainability.

The regulation is the first major revision since 1996 and expands the usage possibilities of school yards outside regular school hours. The aim is to use these areas not only as playgrounds but also as spaces for shared learning, physical activity, and social interaction. Especially in cities like Solingen, where recreational opportunities for children and youth are limited, this marks a decisive step forward.

New Rules – New Opportunities

The new regulation, for instance, allows cycling on school yards and increases accessibility on weekends and public holidays. Additionally, ball games with soft balls, roller skating, and inline skating are permitted. These provisions aim to increase the share of cycling and simultaneously meet the recreational and movement needs of young people.

At the same time, clear boundaries have been set: vehicles with batteries or motors, as well as the consumption of alcohol, nicotine, and drugs, are prohibited. Supervision remains the responsibility of the legal guardians, and the city of Solingen does not assume liability for damages caused by users. This regulation is necessary to mitigate legal risks and emphasize the responsibility of parents.

The regulation will initially be applied at primary schools and is planned to be extended to secondary schools in the future. The costs for the new signage at school yards are approximately 500 euros per location – an investment that reflects the long-term use of the spaces.

School Absenteeism: A Central Challenge

Another central topic for the committee was the handling of school absenteeism. In Solingen, the absence of students – particularly from grade 7 onward – has long been a problem with negative effects on the educational and career prospects of those affected.

In February 2026, a statistical survey was presented showing that the number of cases in secondary level I (Sek I) rose to 296 cases in the 2023/24 school year before dropping to 195 in the following year. In secondary level II (Sek II) and vocational colleges, there was even an increase to 306 cases in 2023/24. These figures highlight that school absenteeism remains a structural issue.

The city is relying on multiprofessional cooperation and innovative solutions such as the project SamS-Raum (School as a Living Space) or long-term internships that facilitate the transition from school to work. In addition, the expansion of school social work is being pursued in order to detect and support school-avoiding behavior at an early stage.

Open Afternoon: Reorganization and Future Perspectives

Another focal point was the reorganization of afternoon care at Open After-School Programs. Starting from the school year 2026/27, care will be offered until 2 p.m., with more flexible models at model schools („ÜMI Flex“). Funding will be income-dependent, thus strengthening fairness and accessibility.

These measures are part of a broader plan to establish the Open After-School Program as a central educational and preventive institution. At the same time, the so-called ABC-class debate is being addressed – an initiative to prepare four-year-olds for primary school. Solingen criticizes the implementation as too costly and pedagogically questionable, instead focusing on integrated language promotion.

Outlook: Education as a Key to Solingen's Future

The decisions made by the Committee for Education and Continuing Education in February 2026 show that Solingen is active on multiple levels: from the use of school yards to the fight against school absenteeism to the future of Open After-School Programs.

The new rules for school yards are an example of how educational institutions can contribute to life outside of regular teaching – as places for physical activity, social integration, and sustainability. At the same time, the way Solingen deals with school absenteeism shows that the city is responding to complex challenges with structured, multiprofessional strategies.

In an era in which education is increasingly understood as a key to participation and future viability, these steps are an important milestone for the city of Solingen.