Building site education: Why our schools urgently need to be rethought
Modern and up-to-date educational facilities are crucial for providing children and young people with the best possible learning conditions and promoting equal opportunities. However, the construction and refurbishment of schools is associated with numerous challenges. Many existing buildings are burdened by a large refurbishment backlog, which has a negative impact on the learning environment and safety.
The All-Day Support Act, which will come into force in 2026, and the associated expansion of all-day care require additional rooms for supervision, rest and leisure activities. At the same time, new pedagogical approaches - such as open forms of learning or inter-year lessons - place special demands on room design. Digitalisation is also progressing, but there is often a lack of stable internet connections, digital end devices and technical support. Inclusion requires barrier-free access and individual retreat options. Added to this are slow planning processes, a shortage of skilled labour and high construction costs, which make rapid implementation difficult. As a result, many local authorities are under pressure to fulfil the increasing requirements. Additional problems arise due to unclear responsibilities and a lack of coordination between school authorities, planning offices and education policy.