Future of the Höxteran schools: Realschule Plus in focus!

Future of the Höxteran schools: Realschule Plus in focus!

As part of a comprehensive educational reform, the secondary school in Höxter was officially declared "leaking off". This was reported by the NW, which emphasizes that the city council voted for the establishment of a Realschule Plus. Among other things, this new school institution should also enable secondary school qualifications. The secondary school, which is housed in the former secondary school wing of the school center, will remain until July 2029, whereby no new registrations will be accepted. This measure comes in view of the falling number of students, which show a downward trend annually.

The Höxter secondary school currently employs 38 teachers. Many of the current teachers are needed until the school is closed. However, it is uncertain how many of them will switch to the new Realschule Plus. The Detmold district government will make new job offers to the teachers, so they have the opportunity to apply or move in free positions. The individual potential of the teachers, especially in relation to subject combinations, is also taken into account in the transitional process.

number of students and challenges

The current picture of schools in Höxter is worrying. Studies show that 17 % of elementary school students have to leave the city. The decline in school numbers at the Realschule Plus is almost 20 %. The SPD Höxter sees this as an alarming signal for the future of the school location. Two main causes that lead to this development were identified: the internal differentiation and uncertain afternoon care for grades 5 and 6.

According to the North Rhine-Westphalian School Act, the Realschule Plus is obliged to teach internally differentiating. This includes that both students with secondary school and secondary school level are taught together. However, the headmistress complains that there is no updated pedagogical concept, which leads to uncertainties among parents. These about worries about afternoon care, which may continue to suffer from the elimination of the secondary school. The previous secondary school offered a bound all -day concept that served as support for the care.

political demands and future developments

Lydia Dabringhausen, chair of the SPD city association in Höxter, calls for a quick action by politics and administration. It is urgently needed to develop a sustainable educational concept for the Realschule Plus. In addition, financial resources have to be provided for reliable afternoon care in order to prevent even more children and adolescents from moving from Höxter.