Number of children enrolled in school in Thuringia declines
In Thuringia, fewer pupils have started school in the current school year than in the previous school year. According to the Federal Statistical Office, around 19,400 children had their first day at school. This is a decrease of 0.7 percent, as the authority announced in Wiesbaden on Monday, citing preliminary figures.
Nationwide, however, the number of children starting school has risen. Around 830,600 children started school, the highest number for 20 years. Compared to the previous year, this is an increase of 2.1 percent. According to the authorities, the increase is due to higher birth rates and increased immigration, particularly from Ukraine.
Baden-Württemberg recorded the most significant increase at 6.9 percent. In addition to Thuringia, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania (minus 0.6 percent) also recorded a decline in school enrollments.
Despite the decline in school enrollments in Thuringia, many schools in the region still have a high student population. The high number of children starting school nationwide has resulted in some schools in other regions, such as Baden-Württemberg, experiencing an increase in enrollment.
Source: www.dpa.com
