Cologne is investing 62 million euros in school modernization and digitalization!

Cologne is investing 62 million euros in school modernization and digitalization!

On July 3, 2025, the Cologne city council decided on major steps to improve the school location. The investments in numerous school construction projects are intended not only to create space, but also to provide modern infrastructure and digital technology for teaching. A key goal of these initiatives is to make the educational landscape in the city fit for the future, which plays a significant role in the current discussion about school construction. As planned, for example, an outdated container system at the Catholic secondary school on the Großer Griechenmarkt will be replaced by two wooden modular buildings. This is done with an investment of 6.9 million euros, as the Rhenish advertising papers report.

Another ambitious project is the new extension building on KGS Horststrasse. Not only a new sports hall will be created here, but also a cafeteria and group rooms, while existing kitchens and dining rooms will be converted into classrooms. The entire renovation has a cost of around 25.64 million euros. Other significant projects include the general modernization of the Erich-Kästner-Gymnasium in Nippes and the expansion of both the Elisabeth-von-Thüringen-Gymnasium and the Schillergymnasium in Sülz.

Digital future and infrastructure

A central component of the measures adopted is the digitalization of schools. The city of Cologne plans to purchase a total of 4,520 new digital touchscreens, which will replace traditional blackboards in lessons. This project has a cost estimate of 24 million euros. In addition, new iPads worth over 13 million euros are planned for students and teachers. This digitization offensive supports the use of 77,500 mobile devices in Cologne schools, according to the Press release from the city of Cologne.

Particularly noteworthy is the new construction of a two-class elementary school in Porz-Elsdorf, which will house a double sports hall and a caretaker's apartment. This measure represents another important step in meeting the increasing need for school places in the city. In addition, a new school location with a single gymnasium and additional biology and chemistry rooms is planned on Hardtgenbuscher Kirchweg, which will involve a total cost of around 62.9 million euros.

A look into the future of Cologne schools

Cologne is taking significant precautions to overcome the growing challenges in the school sector. In this regard, an investment volume of more than 558 million euros is planned for the city's schools for 2025. This means that Cologne will have the highest investment rate per capita in school construction among Germany's megacities. In order to meet this increasing demand, the city also plans to expand the current package of measures for school infrastructure from the current 50 to 60 new buildings, extensions and renovations. Nationwide, 1.1 billion euros have been approved, subject to the city council, in order to continue on this ambitious path, reports Cologne City Gazette.

Overall, it shows that the city of Cologne has a good hand when it comes to school construction. Whether new buildings, expansions or the promotion of digital infrastructure – the measures are well thought out and consistently tailored to the needs of the students and teachers. Cologne's educational landscape is facing a comprehensive change that will hopefully enable the city to have a prosperous future.