Students in Cologne defend themselves: Wald stays! Basta! Against clearing!

Students in Cologne defend themselves: Wald stays! Basta! Against clearing!

In Cologne-Bocklemünd, there is resistance to the city's planned new construction projects. Students from the Max Ernst Comprehensive School (MEG) recently organized a flash mob in the small school grove in order to draw attention to their concerns. With posters like "The forest stays. Basta!" showed that the preservation of your green retreat is important to you. They are particularly affected by the plans to demolish the old cafeteria and the construction of a new one until the summer of 2029. However, the question arises as to whether the old canteen could not be built on the area of ​​the old cafeteria without having to be felled, such as [Rundschau Online] (https://www.rundschau-online.de/koeln/ehrenfeld/bocklemuend-mengengenich/protest- against-rodung-schueler-in-koeln-bocklemuend-wollen-wollenwald-legen-1054846) reports

The school grove is not only a place of relaxation for the students, but also an important shelter with noise and heat. Helmut Röscheisen from the federal government has sharp criticism of the clearing and demands alternatives. Several demonstrations that took place on June 16 and 23 and each had around 250 participants illustrate the commitment of the students and teachers who work for the preservation of the forest.

forest and education - an inseparable connection

The German Environmental Aid (DUH) has also dealt intensively on the topic of school groves. They demand binding minimum standards for natural school yards and create small forest in several cities, which not only serve as a retreat, but should also contribute to reducing stress and increasing the joy of movement. In Germany, many school premises are heavily sealed, which exposes the children of the heat, noise and dust. The DUH is at the forefront of a movement that encourages schools to redesign its environment, as https://www.duh.de/presse/pressemitteilungen/pressemitteigungen/kleine-waeldchen-feit-deutsche-dewelthilfe-stalt-schulen-mithe-welwaeldc/) emphasizes.

These developments are particularly relevant with regard to the current climate challenges that affect every level of society. Educational institutions can play a crucial role in conveying children awareness of climate and environmental issues. Through projects such as planting trees or learning through their own CO2 footprint, students are encouraged to actively deal with their environment, as [my lessons emphasized.

The future of MEG and urban development

The planned construction projects at the MEG are not only controversial from the perspective of the students. Ute Reckers, mother of a student, also expresses concerns about the social situation in the district. The current number of students develop differently than originally forecast, and with a new comprehensive school that was recently opened in Ossendorf, the need for school places could already be covered. Nevertheless, the city administration refers to future residential buildings in Ehrenfeld that could create even more school needs.

MEG school director Ralf Emmermann sees a possibility for independent construction work and a new planning of the cafeteria without the forest having to be sacrificed. This situation could serve as an opportunity for the city and the parties responsible to reconcile education and nature conservation. It seems that we have an exciting chapter in the development of the school landscape in Cologne.