© Chris Meisch
As around 118,000 secondary school pupils in Luxembourg prepare to return to classrooms on 17 September, schools, teachers, parents, and pupils alike are finalising their preparations for the start of the new school year.
As the Schueberfouer comes to an end, attention now turns to the new school year. Next week marks the return to school for around 118,000 children and young people across Luxembourg, with some 54,600 pupils entering secondary education. For more than 5,700 of them, it will be their very first day in a lycée, as the secondary schools in Luxembourg are known.
Before lessons begin, preparations are in full swing, not only for schools and their staff, but also for pupils and parents. That means buying stationery, and textbooks on one side, while teachers and school directors finalise timetables and classroom arrangements on the other.
For pupils, the start of term brings a mix of excitement and nerves.
RTL spoke to one young student who explained that they had already bought their schoolbooks and supplies, including a new schoolbag and pencil cases, and said they were eager to work hard this year and achieve good grades. Another admitted to feeling a little stressed about returning but was looking forward to seeing classmates again, noting that the family had been shopping for books and clothes to be ready in time.
Hectic preparations for teachers
The new school year also brings pressure behind the scenes. In secondary schools, September is always a busy time, as final preparations are made. At the Lycée classique de Diekirch, Director Marcel Kramer described the run-up to the new term with a smile as "normal madness".
He pointed out that the work is threefold: ensuring pupils are placed correctly, supporting teachers and staff, and making sure school buildings are ready. He added that over the summer holidays, renovations, painting, rewiring, and other technical adjustments are carried out, which are tasks that cannot be completed during the term.
Teaching assistant Henri Lacoste explained that organisation starts well before the holidays. Lycées often recruit new staff in June, while by the end of July school management is already preparing class lists, timetables, and information packs for parents, he said.
Allowances for costs of school
The return to school also comes with a financial burden for families. To help with costs, the state pays an annual back-to-school allowance: €115 per child from the age of six, rising to €235 from age twelve.
Payments are made automatically in August, although in the case of the differential supplement, transfers may only be processed in January.
