Saxony-Anhalt schools face 375 million euro funding demand against 83.9 million available

Funding gap at the start of the school year

As the new school year begins in Saxony-Anhalt, the gap between planned school investments and available money is stark. According to the Education Ministry in Magdeburg, 83.9 million euros from the federal infrastructure special fund are earmarked for educational infrastructure. Against that, 125 project proposals with a total funding volume of about 375 million euros were submitted, meaning the available funds are oversubscribed more than fourfold.

The ministry said it cannot quantify the total renovation and modernisation need across all schools in the state, because responsibility for building and maintaining school facilities lies mainly with municipalities, districts and district-free cities. No central register of school building conditions exists at the ministry level.

Districts report a 4 billion euro backlog

The Landkreistag, representing the state's 11 districts, points to a substantial investment backlog. The districts put their acute infrastructure investment need at 4 billion euros, a figure that spans schools, civil protection, digitalisation and administrative buildings. Two billion euros of that total fall on district roads alone. The association said the funds from the federal infrastructure special fund cannot close a gap that has built up over years.

A Landkreistag overview lists numerous planned school projects. In Wittenberg, about 33 million euros are earmarked for a replacement special-needs school with a gym and swimming pool. At the "An der Elbe" secondary school in Parey, Jerichower Land, roughly 5.5 million euros are needed for heating and sanitation upgrades. At the G. E. Lessing community school in Salzwedel, rising student numbers have outgrown the main building, prompting plans for additional room modules at about 6 million euros.

Shortly before the summer holidays, significant structural problems emerged in a building tract at the Lessing school. According to media reports, the tract can no longer be used due to a risk of collapse. The Education Ministry confirmed it had been informed of the structural problems at the school.

Heat protection moves up the agenda

Beyond classic renovations, protection against heat is becoming a growing concern in everyday school life. In the ARD "Deutschlandtrend" survey, 89% of respondents supported spending more money to better prepare schools, hospitals and transport routes for future heat periods.

The state supports municipalities through the "Klima III" programme, which funds measures such as shading, greening and the de-sealing of surfaces. Classic air conditioning systems are not covered. The Editha-Gymnasium in Magdeburg illustrates the approach: pergolas are planned to create shaded areas on the previously sealed schoolyard, with funding from the programme. Energy Minister Armin Willingmann was referenced in connection with the project.

Ministry seeks new programme from 2027

Given the high demand for funding programmes, the Education Ministry sees a need for action. It has requested funds for a new state school building programme starting in 2027. Whether the programme materialises depends on budget decisions by the state parliament.