- A significant number of elementary school students in NRW participate in all-day educational activities.
Nearly six out of ten primary school pupils in North Rhine-Westphalia used a full-day program in schools during the last academic year, as per the stats from North Rhine-Westphalia's State Statistical Office in Düsseldorf. This participation rate has been steadily climbing over the years, with a 52.7% participation rate in the 2023/24 school year contrasting to just 38.5% in 2013/14.
In total, roughly 372,930 primary students in North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) participated in these full-day programs. Close to 369,225 kids were enrolled in open full-day programs (OGP), where not all students attend extra-curricular activities post-school hours. Meanwhile, just over 3,705 primary school children participated in bound full-day programs, where participation is mandatory for all students.
Cologne had the highest percentage (82.6%) of participating primary school pupils followed by Leverkusen (79.6%) and Oberhausen (78.9%). On the other hand, Olpe, Borken, Siegen-Wittgenstein, and Hochsauerlandkreis had the lowest participation rates (31.6%-31.9%).
The Social Democratic Party (SPD) raises a red flag
SPD’s education representative in North Rhine-Westphalia state parliament, Dilek Engin, points out a disjointed arrangement of open full-day programs throughout the state. Engin explains that while major cities like Cologne, Oberhausen, and Düsseldorf have successfully expanded these OGPs, rural districts trail far behind. The 52.7% participation rate is a cause for concern, particularly with the incoming legal entitlement to full-day spots.
The Full-Day Care Act, sponsored by the federal government, parties to primary school children's legal entitlement to a full-day place. By 2029/30, all 1st to 4th grade pupils in NRW will benefit from a legal entitlement to full-day care. During the final expansion phase, the NRW state government projects a need for approximately 80% of students – around 590,000 spots.
NRW state government: "Progressing well"
The state government of NRW responds that they are making "good progress" with providing planning security through the 2025 budget draft and medium-term financial planning. In the 2028/29 school year, the state government anticipates having the means to finance around 605,000 spots in open full-day programs - over the estimated need. From the financial year 2027 onwards, the NRW state plans to invest over one billion euros annually in OGPs.
The Education and Science Union (GEW) in North Rhine-Westphalia confirms the growing requirement for full-day places. They stress the significance of uniform minimum standards, including teacher numbers, group sizes, and equipment, in both metropolitan and rural areas for full-day care. "If politics sets the right course and offers the required funds, the full-day program can be an essential tool in fostering equality of opportunity," commented GEW chairwoman Ayla Celik.
The SPD, specifically Dilek Engin, the education representative in North Rhine-Westphalia's state parliament, is concerned about the disparity in the availability and expansion of open full-day programs across the state, particularly in rural districts. The SPD believes that this disjointed arrangement could pose challenges as the Full-Day Care Act grants a legal entitlement to full-day spots for primary school children in North Rhine-Westphalia.
