eduCation Crisis: Renovation Backlog Stalls in Communities - Schools Persist with Decrepit Buildings
Delayed Maintenance: Local administrations have been storing up neglected school repairs - School-related traffic congestion persists during rehabilitation periods: towns struggle to find alternatives
Communities in Thuringia stand firm on their aging school buildings, even as student numbers dwindle. A survey by the German Press Agency paints this picture. Many school operators reveal no plans to close these dilapidated schools in the near future, despite the urgent need for renovations.
The state audit office pointed out the dire need for renovations in schools across Thuringia. In 2023, the audit office issued a construction need of about 1.1 billion euros for 11 school operators they scrutinized more closely. They examined 28 school buildings and sports halls for their inventory.
Financial woes abound in school renovation - save for Weimar
School operators mainly confirm the financial hurdles. Erfurt estimates the current need at 340 million euros for 81 school buildings and 47 sports halls. Jena requires 88 million euros for schools and sports halls (excluding ongoing projects), while the Unstrut-Hainich district acknowledges an investment gap of 80 million euros. Gera says it will invest "several millions," with an exact figure hard to pin down. Eisenach and the Ilm district share similar sentiments.
Weimar, however, sees itself in a more favorable position. Since 2009, the city has invested around 53 million euros in new buildings and maintenance through its subsidiary, ensuring almost complete renovation for their schools and sports halls.
Shrinking schools - battling the decline
The districts and communities' reluctance to consider school closures or mergers despite the renovation gaps primarily stems from the high occupancy rates. The decline in student numbers projected by the Ministry of Education is affecting primary schools, relieving the pressure on the existing buildings in places like Nordhausen.
Jena assures a "healthy shrinkage" of their schools, making space for special pedagogical support and all-day offers to flourish. In Erfurt's secondary schools, the occupancy rate even surpasses 100 percent. The city anticipates potential school mergers if the birthrate continues to plummet.
The Unstrut-Hainich district may see school closures on the horizon due to declining student numbers in the coming years. The district administration of Mühlhausen is discussing potential school closures, citing a transparent approach in adapting its school network planning.
CommunityRenovation BacklogThuringiaErfurtEducationStudent NumberSchool BuildingWeimarUnstrut-Hainich districtState audit officeGerman Press AgencyJena
- Despite the dire need for renovation highlighted by the state audit office and the German Press Agency, many school operators in Thuringia, such as Erfurt, Gera, and the Unstrut-Hainich district, are grappling with financial hurdles, revealing an investment gap totaling hundreds of millions of euros for school buildings and sports halls.
- On the other hand, Weimar stands out as an exception, having invested around 53 million euros since 2009 in new buildings and maintenance through community aid and vocational training programs, ensuring almost complete renovation for their schools and sports halls.
