School start in Schleswig-Holstein: Costs and support in focus!

School start in Schleswig-Holstein: Costs and support in focus!

Today, September 2nd, 2025, the start of school in Schleswig-Holstein is just around the corner. Starting next week, a new phase of life begins for many children. The costs for the necessary work materials average between 80 and 100 euros. These include writing books, pens, glue, erasers and possibly also workbooks or tablets. This is a significant expense for many families and not everyone can easily afford it.

In particular, families who receive housing benefit or citizen's benefit have the opportunity to apply for financial support. However, this support is not available to everyone: families who are only just above the income limit are left empty-handed. The State Parents' Advisory Council has strongly criticized this and is calling for expanded support for families in need. The debate about financial relief is also an issue that is being discussed by the current coalition committee in Berlin. Here they would like to discuss social reforms and also have exciting suggestions for state politics from Schleswig-Holstein.

School enrollment and compulsory schooling

An important aspect of school enrollment is compulsory school attendance, which in Schleswig-Holstein applies to all children who turn six by June 30th of each year. An exception are children born prematurely, for whom the later birthday counts. Parents can apply for early school enrollment for their offspring if they were born after the deadline. In addition, this year special emphasis is being placed on children with special educational needs who can receive integrative schooling.

The daycare centers play a central role in the preparation phase for school, because this is where the foundation for a successful school time is laid. Schools invite future students and their parents to “taster days” to give a first impression. Parents' evenings and information events are also part of the program to ensure a smooth transition. Registration for school is carried out by the respective primary schools, which obtain additional information about the child's educational and developmental progress.

Support for disadvantaged families

The state of Schleswig-Holstein has also launched an offer of help for children with recognized consequences of harm. These children can take advantage of benefits to participate in education, which are granted regardless of income and assets if the need arose from a damaging event. For this purpose, assistance is provided for school education, especially for attending secondary schools, as well as for further school and vocational training. This gives the affected families new perspectives for their children's education.

Other current topics

In addition to school matters, there are also other current issues that concern people in Schleswig-Holstein. In the next eight days there will be no petrol on Amrum as welding work is being carried out at the only petrol station. However, there are no restrictions for diesel. There was also an accident on the A23 near Tornesch, which resulted in lengthy closures, but no one was injured. Tourism continues to boom, with an impressive number of 15.8 million overnight stays in the first half of 2025, an increase of 90,000 compared to last year. The inland areas in particular benefit from this, apart from Holstein Switzerland.

The weather for the coming days will be characterized by a mix of sun and clouds, with highs between 21 and 24 degrees, with the possibility of showers and thunderstorms. So it remains exciting to see what the new school year and the coming weather phases will look like.

For detailed information about school enrollment and offers in Schleswig-Holstein, visit the website NDR, schleswig-holstein.de and zufish.sh.