- Commencement of New Academic Year: Over 272,970 Pupils Engage
The upcoming academic year in Hamburg is breaking records: A whopping 272,970 students are set to attend Hamburg's schools at the commencement of the 2024/25 academic year, marking the highest enrollment figure ever. The increase is the most significant at state-run schools, with an addition of 6,230 students.
Despite this growth, there are indications of a deceleration, as the projected increase was significantly higher at 4.6% last year compared to the current expected increase of 2.5%.
Senator for Schools Ksenija Bekeris (SPD) commented, "We anticipate the student population growth to plateau at a high level in the forthcoming years. Consequently, we can't let our guard down but will persist in maintaining small classes and maintaining Berlin's renowned educational standards. We will continue to allocate funds for school construction and the recruitment of additional instructors."
Eight new state schools will debut
As the new 2024/25 academic year commences on a Thursday, Hamburg will boast a total of 476 schools. Eight brand-new state general education schools will inaugurate their operations for the first time. This is the "most schools that have ever been established at once in Hamburg." Renovations and expansions of state schools will continue in the new academic year, with an investment of 350-400 million euros in over 100 construction sites.
A total of 303 new teaching positions will be created, bringing the total to 15,911 positions. Breakdown includes 5,341 positions for primary schools, 838 for special schools, 5,696 for secondary schools, and 4,036 for grammar schools. Additionally, 5,341 new positions will be allocated to primary schools, 37 more for special schools, 119 more for secondary schools, and 71 more for grammar schools.
Also, 2,386 pedagogical-therapeutic positions will be available, an increase of 90 over the previous year. The total number of pedagogical positions stands at 18,297, an increase of 393 over last year.
Transition exams in grade 10 of grammar schools will cease to exist
Elimination of additional transition exams in grade 10 of grammar schools is set for the new academic year. Seven pilot schools will introduce computer science as a compulsory subject in secondary school I from the start of the 2024/25 academic year. Starting from the 2025/26 academic year, computer science will be integrated into all secondary schools and grammar schools.
The significance of full-day schooling has intensified: Almost 90% of all primary school pupils were registered for the 8.00 AM to 4.00 PM core period in the last academic year.
The upcoming 2024/25 school year will see a record-breaking enrollment of 272,970 students, marking the highest figure yet in Hamburg's schools. Senator for Schools Ksenija Bekeris anticipates that the student population growth will plateau at a high level in the coming years.
