Elementary schools close to borders are preparing against the flood of application from Germany

It is an open secret that a whole series of children in primary schools close to the border actually live in the near countries. The school at their place of residence would therefore be responsible, but many parents prefer the Luxembourg school system. In Remich, for example, the primary school there has always put an eye on and also recorded Luxembourg students who live on the other side of the Moselle. Soon it will soon be the end: The local council tightened the conditions on Friday to allow children from other communities.

In the coming school year, families who live on the German side should only get one school place when a parent works in Remich. The registration must also arrive before May 1st.

Mayor Jacques seat (DP) justified the tightened admission conditions with the limited capacity of the primary school. The number of children has risen sharply in recent years, so that there is hardly any scope for non -local students.

Toothbrush in Luxembourg, but residence in Germany

In terms of numbers, the children reside in another – mostly German – community at first glance do not seem to be particularly numerous. As seated, 16 such students attended primary school and paid school fees. “In addition, there is a large gray area. These are children who may have toothbrush and pajamas with relatives in Luxembourg. However, the teaching staff knows that these children actually live in a German border community, ”he said.

Especially for the coming school year, the management of the Remicher primary school with its two locations is waiting for a lot of registrations of children with residence in the border area. The neighboring municipality of Schengen was faced with the same problem and has therefore no more children from other communities since this school year. The fear is now that many Luxembourg families who live in the Perl or Wincheringen area will contact the Remich school. « We know that we will get a huge problem in the next school year, » said Sitz.

Opinions were split in the local council. « The children cannot do anything if their parents have pulled across the border because the living space is cheaper there, » said council member Daniel Frères (pirates). Jean-Paul Wiltz (Déi Gréng) agreed with him and attributed the phenomenon to the problems on the housing market. “We want the children to work here later. If you were at a Luxembourg school, you have better chances on the job market, ”he said.

« Live with the consequences »

Most of the council members spoke in favor of luxembourg students at their place of residence beyond the border to school. Germany and France also have good school systems, said Luc Thillmann (DP) and Schöffin Rita Wallerich (CSV) it would be a shame if children spend the whole day in another community and had no contact with children from their residential area. Guy Mathay (LSAP) said: “Of course it is easier to live in Germany. Then you also have to live with the consequences.  »

The municipal council decided to majority the changed regulations. Only Daniel Frères contained.

According to the primary school law, the municipality is allowed to decide whether it will take up children with a residence in another community – whether in Luxembourg or abroad. The registration is accepted under certain conditions, for example if the child is looked after by the grandparents in Luxembourg or a parent works in Luxembourg. « The municipality can decide autonomously and depending on the recording capacity whether it accepts the school registration, » says the Ministry of Education. In this case, she can request school fees to cover your costs. This may be a maximum of 600 euros a year.