Denominational schools in Saxony-Anhalt: a influx despite church loss

Denominational schools in Saxony-Anhalt: a influx despite church loss

The trend towards denominational schools in Saxony-Anhalt

In Saxony-Anhalt, a remarkable trend goes hand in hand: more and more parents opt for denominational schools, although church loyalty decreases in society. The Evangelical Secondary School near Haldensleben is an example of this development, which is not only due to faith, but above all to the quality of education.

background of the decision

Kathrin Alsleben, mother of twins, sent her children to the Evangelical secondary school for a simple reason: the lack of teachers in state schools. In the search for a reliable educational institution, the family came across the denominational school and delighted the decision. "The community at the school is excellent," says Alsleben enthusiastically and emphasizes that events such as Advent singing and child -friendly services make the environment positive for their children.

The numbers speak for themselves

The Evangelical School Foundation in Central Germany, represented by Marco Eberl, reports on a significant increase in the number of students in the region's denominational schools. Between 2018/19 and 2023/24, the number of students rose from around 1,500 to over 2,000, which corresponds to growth of around 31 percent. This is in contrast to the general tendency of a decreasing church loyalty in Saxony-Anhalt, where only about ten percent of the population are currently evangelical.

advantages of denominational schools

A reason for the establishment of this development is individual care in free schools. According to Eberl, denominational schools can better respond to the needs of the students and reduce the loss of lessons. Communication with the parents is usually more transparent and efficient. This is particularly expressed in schools such as the Magdeburg Norbertusgymnasium, where there are 300 registrations for 120 places.

a new church image

"We are a church in a different form," explains Eberl and describes how denominational schools can contribute to another access to the church. In these schools, low -threshold access to religiosity is created, which may lead to the image of the church in public. Many students are not denominational, which means that schools offer space for faith and religion without being bound to a certain community of beliefs.

conclusion

The decision for denominational schools in Saxony-Anhalt is an indication of the progressive change in the educational landscape in Germany. The wishes of the parents according to a experienced community and good education seem to be the main motivations behind this trend. Denominational schools have thus played a new role in society that goes beyond mere educational institutions and offers deeper access to values and community.

- Nag