Overview
- Hamm, Düsseldorf and Krefeld announced declaratory actions, while Aachen, Bochum, Bielefeld, Düren and Dormagen filed representative suits at administrative courts to clarify the state's payment obligations.
- Municipal leaders, backed by the Städtetag NRW, argue the state has avoided clearly assigning responsibility and financing, and they demand the coalition’s promised implementation law.
- The phased federal right begins with first graders in summer 2026 and extends to all primary pupils by 2029, with NRW expecting roughly 150,000 additional places on top of about 480,500 children already served in 2025.
- The Städtetag estimates about one billion euros in additional municipal funding is needed, warning many cities cannot absorb rising operating and investment costs.
- Local figures underscore the gap: Düsseldorf covers €34 million of roughly €80 million in annual operating costs and faces €220 million in school investments with only €21 million covered by the state, while Krefeld reports the state share has fallen from 47% in 2021 to 40% now.
- The education ministry says it will create 20,000 more places, provide 2026 funding to finance up to 50,000 places, expand capacity to as many as 605,500 by 2028/29, and lift spending by €100 million to nearly €1 billion in 2026.