Education Policy in Velbert: Full-Day Schools, School Construction, and Sustainability in Focus

Education Policy in Velbert: Full-Day Schools, School Construction, and Sustainability in Focus

The education policy in Velbert has clearly advanced in February 2026. In the Committee for Schools, Education, and Culture, central topics such as the expansion of full-day school offerings, the planning of construction projects at schools, and sustainability in the municipal education sector were addressed. These developments show how Velbert is preparing for the future of education while simultaneously addressing the needs of the younger generation.

Expansion of Open Full-Day Schools (OGS)

Velbert aims for an 85 percent coverage rate for Open Full-Day Schools (OGS) starting in the 2026/27 school year. Currently, 13 primary schools are set up as OGS, and 11 of them additionally offer short-term childcare until 2 p.m. The right to a full-day childcare place is made possible by extensive construction projects, which are funded through the state's investment program.

A central project is the extension of the GGS Birth, which is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2029. Additionally, a new construction project for the GGS Tönisheide is planned, which will replace the existing building and be completed by 2032. The new building for the GGS Bergische Straße for the OGS is planned for 2031. These investments show that Velbert is making long-term investments in the future of education.

Class Formation and School Development

For the school year 2026/27, a total of 33 first-grade classes are planned in the city of Velbert. The distribution is based on the municipal class size guidelines, with six primary schools having set a limited student number of 25 children per class. This limitation serves, in particular, to better support the children, especially in schools with a focus on inclusion.

The city of Velbert has clearly defined priorities: high-quality and balanced class formation that takes pedagogical requirements and individual child support into account. This decision was made at the request of the schools and in coordination with the school authorities.

Sustainability and Schoolyard Concepts

Another focus in the education sector was the discussion on the sealing-free design of schoolyards. The administration plans to present the concepts for this in the second half of 2026. The goal is to design the municipal schoolyards sustainably, making them more livable and closer to nature for the children.

In addition, the real estate service is working on a schoolyard concept that also considers sealing-free options. These measures are part of an overall sustainability concept that Velbert is implementing in educational institutions.

Cultural Education and Public Institutions

In addition to the school developments, cultural institutions in Velbert were also in the spotlight. The German Museum of Locks and Hardware recorded its highest number of visitors in history in 2025, with 14,134 visitors. In 2026, the museum will be further developed with projects such as a new depot, an escape room, and a guide.

The Music and Arts School of Velbert also proved to be successful, for example in the regional competition "Youth Music." In addition, voluntary service in culture and education is strongly supported in Velbert, particularly through platforms such as Machmamit! and Voluntary Services Culture and Education.

However, it also becomes clear that personnel shortages have an impact on the public: The libraries in Velbert-Langenberg and Velbert-Neviges will have to remain closed during lunch hours in the future. This underscores the challenges that Velbert still has to overcome in the area of education and culture, despite positive developments.

Outlook

The education policy in Velbert shows clear progress in February 2026. The expansion of full-day school offerings, the planning of construction projects, and the integration of sustainability into the city's schools show that Velbert is betting on a long-term and high-quality development of education.

Future-oriented investments in schools, the development of cultural offerings, and the focus on inclusion and sustainability are key building blocks for a capable and livable city. Velbert thus shows that education is not only an area for the future, but is also actively shaped and further developed today.