Cologne girls' school defends itself against co-education - parents in uproar!

Cologne girls' school defends itself against co-education - parents in uproar!

In Cologne, an explosive topic is heating up the minds of parents, students and teachers: The Archdiocese of Cologne is planning to run the Archbishop's Ursuline School, the only girls' school in the city with almost 400 years of tradition, co-educational in the 2026/27 school year. This was announced unexpectedly, without prior involvement of the school community, and is causing considerable resistance within the school family. Cologne City Gazette reports that the parents' association, represented by Cornelia Vondey, shares the concerns of many parents and students who have consciously chosen a girls' school.

In recent years, the Ursuline School has distinguished itself through a successful concept for promoting girls, particularly in natural science subjects and computer science. Students report increased self-confidence in this protected space. Student representative Lia Bartels expresses concerns that the focus on girls could be lost in a possible switch to co-education. “We saw how important this space is for us,” emphasizes Bartels. Regular awards given to students in scientific competitions underline the success of this approach.

Parents demand a different solution

Concerns about declining registration numbers are one of the reasons for the changeover plans. The school currently has three classes and has even had four classes in the past. Many parents are of the opinion that instead of switching to co-education prematurely, a campaign to promote the girls' school is necessary to increase interest in this special educational institution. According to the Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger However, the archdiocese denies that a final decision has been made on the conversion and speaks of an ongoing consultation process.

Another aspect that contributes to the local discussion are gender-specific attributions that are present in various areas of society. Experience in chemistry lessons shows that boys often light the burner, while girls tend to act more reserved. This dynamic could potentially be exacerbated under a co-educational school system. The Ursuline School knows about the challenges and is committed to promoting girls' talents and counteracting stereotypes.

Future of the girls' school uncertain

The ongoing discussion reflects a larger societal debate about the education of boys and girls. The question of what will happen next with the Ursuline School remains open and raises many questions about the best teaching methods and structures. Parents and teachers are called upon to actively participate in the discussion in order to help shape the future of the school.

The decision, which affects one of the city's oldest educational institutions, could have far-reaching consequences for the school community. The coming months promise intensive discussions and discussions about the best way to preserve the tradition of the Ursuline School while at the same time meeting the requirements of modern education.