Rescue for the Pestalozzi School: Petition gains tens of thousands of supporters!

Rescue for the Pestalozzi School: Petition gains tens of thousands of supporters!

Around 160 children attend the Pestalozzischule in Greifswald, a special school that specializes in supporting students with learning difficulties. But this important institution is facing closure as the Ministry of Education plans to abolish all special schools with a focus on “learning” by 2030 at the latest. This is expected to happen in Greifswald in the 2027/2028 school year, which is causing great concern for parents and teachers. How NDR reports, many are convinced that the individual support at this school is unique - a loss that Greifswald does not want to accept.

In a committed campaign, teacher Andreas Winter started a petition against this decision. Winter, who also works as a member of the Christian Democratic Conservative parliamentary group in the Greifswald parliament, demands that parents retain the freedom to choose between special schools and regular schools. “The Pestalozzi School is not just a place of learning, but a temporary home for many children,” said the teacher. The petition has currently collected around 3,000 signatures, and District Administrator Stefan Sternberg has also announced his support to ensure the preservation of this funding facility.

The challenges of inclusion

But what do the numbers say? In Germany, the situation of inclusive education has not improved significantly since the ratification of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in 2009. Loud bpb 55.9% of students with special educational needs attend special schools in the 2023/24 school year. This contradicts the goal of an inclusive education system, which should enable all children, with and without disabilities, to receive schooling close to home.

The Pestalozzi School could represent an important part of the educational landscape in Greifswald. The loss of the school would not only have a negative impact on the children affected, but also on their families and the entire educational landscape in the region. Parents should have the opportunity to choose between special schools and inclusive schooling without being forced into a system that often struggles with resource constraints and inadequately trained staff, as the current debate shows.

The way forward

As the petition shows and reports note, the need for special support facilities remains high. Especially in times when inclusion is often perceived as more of a challenge than a solution, schools like the Pestalozzi School need support. It is clear that many believe that the individual attention and safety offered at special schools for children with learning difficulties are irreplaceable.

The parents and supporters of the Pestalozzi School fear that the closure not only represents a step backwards for education in Greifswald, but also for the diversity and quality of school offerings in the country. Maintaining the school is crucial for local and specialized support. It remains to be seen how the discussions will develop and whether the voices of those affected will be heard.