Bremen starts school year with new first-graders and expanded care

Bremen has welcomed around 5,300 first-graders as the new school year begins, marking significant changes in the educational landscape. A key development is the legal entitlement to all-day care for all enrolled first-graders, a move Education Senator Mark Rackles hailed as a major success for the city.

"All-day care means more time for children to learn, engage in sports, music, and pursue their interests," Rackles stated. Currently, about three-quarters of primary school children in Bremen already utilize the city's all-day programs.

Further innovations are set to enhance school development and student well-being. Starting in the fall, select primary schools will implement data-driven dashboards to guide their development. Additionally, school staff will receive training as mental health first-aiders. Programs aimed at improving language and math skills will continue, and the city is gradually shifting to a leasing model for student iPads, with 50,000 new devices being distributed. Social media apps will be blocked on these tablets and school networks.

The city is also addressing the increasing number of students with disabilities through ongoing teacher training for inclusion. Bremen has seen an increase in both teachers and students for the new academic year, with 6,642 teachers employed, a rise from the previous year. The number of open teaching positions has reached a historic low, with the education department reporting a significant increase in applications. While there are still some local staffing shortages for teachers and other school personnel, the overall trend shows a strengthening of educational resources.

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All-day care means more time for children to learn, engage in sports, music, and pursue their interests.