Faced with a growing pressure from cross-border applicants, primary schools in two Luxembourg municipalities have chosen not to accept children from other communes any more.
It is an open secret that quite a number of children in primary schools close to the border actually live in neighbouring countries. The school in their place of residence would therefore be responsible, but some parents prefer the Luxembourg school system.
In Remich, for example, the local primary school has always turned a blind eye and also accepted Luxembourg pupils who live on the other side of the Moselle. This is soon to largely come to an end as, earlier this month, the local council tightened the conditions for admitting children from other municipalities.
In the coming school year, families living on the German side will only be given a school place if one parent works in Remich. In addition, applications must be received before 1 May.
Mayor Jacques Sitz said the primary school’s limited capacity justified the stricter admission requirements. The number of children has risen sharply in recent years, he said, to the extent that there is hardly any room for non-local pupils.
Relatives in Luxembourg, but resident in Germany
In terms of numbers, the children residing in another municipality – mostly German communes – do not appear to be particularly numerous at first glance. As Sitz explained, 16 such pupils attended primary school and paid school fees.
“Beyond that, however, there is a large grey area. These are children who may have left their toothbrush and pyjamas with relatives in Luxembourg. But the teaching staff know that these children actually live in a German border community,” the DP mayor said.
For the coming school year, the management of the Remich primary school – which has two locations in Gewännchen and Rue Enz – expects many enrolments from children living in the border region. The neighbouring municipality of Schengen was confronted with the same problem and has therefore stopped accepting children from other municipalities since this school year.
The fear now is that many Luxembourg families living in the Perl or Wincheringen area will turn to the Remich school. “We know that we will have a huge problem next school year,” said Sitz.
Remich Mayor Jacques Sitz has defended the stricter admission criteria © Photo credit: Gerry Huberty
Opinions on the local council were divided.
“It’s not the children’s fault if their parents have moved across the border because housing is cheaper there,” said Pirate councillor Daniel Frères. Green councillor Jean-Paul Wiltz agreed, attributing the phenomenon to the problems on the housing market.
“We want the children to work here later. If they have been to a Luxembourg school, they have better chances on the labour market,” Wiltz said.
Consequences of cross-border life
Most council members were in favour of Luxembourg pupils going to school in their place of residence on the other side of the border. Germany and France also have good school systems, said DP councillor Luc Thillmann. CSV alderwoman Rita Wallerich thought it would be a shame if children spent the whole day in another municipality and had no contact with children from their neighbourhood.
“Of course it’s easier to live in Germany. But then you also have to live with the consequences.,” said LSAP councillor Guy Mathay.
The municipal council approved the amended regulations by a majority, with only Pirate councillor Daniel Frères abstaining from the vote.
According to the law governing primary schools, the municipality can decide for itself whether to accept children who live in another municipality – whether in Luxembourg or abroad. Enrolment is accepted under certain conditions, for example if the child is cared for by grandparents in Luxembourg or if one parent works in Luxembourg.
“The municipality can decide autonomously and depending on the capacity whether to accept the school enrolment,” says the Ministry of Education. In this case, it can charge school fees up to a maximum of €600 per year to cover its costs.
(This article was first published on the Luxemburger Wort. Translation and editing by Tracy Heindrichs)