European school reopening and safety preparations

Educational institutions across Europe are transitioning into the new academic year. In Germany and Switzerland, schools have begun welcoming new students, including fifth-graders in Hanau and Borken, while institutions like the Goethegymnasium in Leipzig have implemented digital systems, such as the LernSax system, to manage class schedules.

As the academic term progresses, authorities in various regions have issued safety warnings. Police in Geneva and Goslar, as well as officials in Spain, have cautioned drivers regarding increased traffic congestion and the heightened risk to pedestrians and cyclists near school zones and bus stops. In the Netherlands, organizations like Veilig Verkeer Nederland are launching campaigns to urge motorist vigilance, noting a trend in cycling accidents in Utrecht province that rose by 18.7% between 2019 and 2025, partly due to the use of electric bikes and fatbikes by youth.

In Belgium, new school sites in Pellenberg have implemented 30 km/h zones and improved lighting to ensure safe commutes. However, educators in Brussels are facing challenges including differing holiday schedules between French and Dutch-speaking systems, budget cuts, and increased teaching hours. Additionally, extracurricular childcare services in Genk are preparing to support families for the start of the term.