An inter-municipal networking event for family primary school centers (FGZ) in the Aachen city region took place on 25 November 2025 in the conference center of the Technologiezentrum Aachen. Around 40 professionals from a total of twelve family primary school centers came together to discuss their work, current challenges and successful practical examples.

There are currently twelve active family primary school centers in the city region - nine in Aachen, two in Stolberg and one in Baesweiler. They make an important contribution to improving educational and participation opportunities for children and their families and strengthening parents as key partners in the educational process.

In his welcoming address, Heinrich Brötz, Aachen's Councillor for Education, Youth and Culture, said: "For me, the family elementary school are a successful model because they make the boundaries between school and home more permeable in the interests of the children." Empowered parents who find a forum for their concerns, ideas and worries can also provide their children with better conditions at home and have a positive impact on their education and self-confidence.

Marco Becker from the NRW Ministry for Children, Youth, Family, Equality, Refugees and Integration opened the professional exchange with a keynote speech. He said: "Family primary school centers take up the approach of the educational partnership between parents and educational professionals known from daycare centers. The aim is to strengthen parents as competent educational partners for their children and to enable primary school children to participate in education on an equal footing with parents and schools." Experience to date has shown that family primary school centers "are an important component of municipal education and prevention chains".

Johanna Horn from WDR then moderated two discussion rounds. They focused on the questions of how family primary school centers can succeed, what the needs are and how the idea can be successful in the various social areas. In addition, the family primary school centers presented their wide range of services at information stands, which led to in-depth discussions and a lively exchange.

Real added value
At this event, it became clear that the family primary school centers create real added value for everyone involved, for children, parents, families and the participating schools. The feedback from participants was consistently positive. Through low-threshold advice, learning and leisure activities and networking with local partners, the family primary school centers make a decisive contribution to strengthening families and reducing inequalities of opportunity.

Why are family primary school centers so important?
Family primary school centers combine schools with socio-spatial support services and create meeting places. They facilitate access to advice and support structures, promote parental involvement and strengthen trust between families and schools. In this way, they make an important contribution to prevention and to supporting families in their everyday lives.

The positive response from participants underlines the importance of professional exchange and the central role of family primary school centers in the Aachen city region.