Brandenburg's school centers: New paths for educational equality!

Brandenburg's school centers: New paths for educational equality!

On August 8, 2025, the final report of a comprehensive scientific study of school centers in the state of Brandenburg was published. The report was prepared on behalf of the Brandenburg Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport. School centers represent associations of primary schools with secondary schools such as secondary schools or comprehensive schools. These initiatives pursue important goals that can sustainably change the educational offerings for students in Brandenburg.

The main goals of the school centers include promoting longer shared learning, strengthening educational equity and achieving synergy effects between primary and secondary education. In order to achieve these goals, the study examines various research questions, which include, among other things, the motives of the actors in founding the school centers, the functional conditions of these institutions in comparison to unaffiliated schools, and the influence of school centers on student flows. It also examines how school development planning plays a role in this.

Research methodology

The study's methodology is based on a combination of quantitative and qualitative research methods. Repeated online surveys were carried out with teachers and school management at 41 school centers. In addition, a comprehensive analysis of school statistical data as well as contrasting individual case studies is carried out at seven school centers. Expert interviews with actors from education policy, school administration and individual schools complement the data collection, while document analyzes of school programs and school development plans provide important insights.

The report summarizes the results of the study and contains valuable recommendations for the establishment process of school centers. The results could have far-reaching effects on the future school structure in Brandenburg and form a basis for school development planning in the coming years.

School development planning in Brandenburg

School development planning in Brandenburg is a central aspect of the educational landscape in the state. The responsibilities are divided: the state is responsible for internal school affairs, while the school authorities take over external affairs. School development planning is a mandatory task for the districts and independent cities in order to ensure a comprehensive school offering close to home.

It is crucial to take stock of current school-related circumstances and future developments. School development plans, which are drawn up for a period of five years, form the basis of this planning. It is necessary to reach agreement with district school authorities and neighboring districts and cities. The approval of a school development plan by the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports is necessary to ensure its validity.

School development planning is particularly relevant with regard to demographic developments and regional conditions. In a large state like Brandenburg, the different conditions between rural and urban areas must be taken into account in order to create the best possible learning conditions.

In addition to the topic of school centers, it is also about early education in Brandenburg. The new education plan aims to support skilled workers and improve conditions for children. Experts emphasize that early recognition of children promotes their individual development and is crucial for participation, autonomy and the preservation of child dignity.

All of these aspects illustrate the vital developments in Brandenburg's educational sector and the efforts to create an integrative and fair school offering. The importance of school centers and well-thought-out school development planning cannot be overestimated in order to meet the current and future challenges in the education system.

For more information on the results of the investigation, please refer to the full documentation: b-tu.de for school development planning: mbjs-fachportal.brandenburg.de, as well as the importance of early education: bildungsplan-brandenburg.de.