German court rules against exclusion of schools from inclusion funding

Hanover’s fight for fair funding just won a historic victory. Now, every school in Lower Saxony will finally get the support it deserves for inclusion.

, and Administrator

2025 December 4 . 3:42 AM

1 min read

In the picture we can see some school children are standing on the path with school uniforms and... — In the picture we can see some school children are standing on the path with school uniforms and they are holding some papers in their hands and one girl is talking something near the microphone which is to the stand and behind them we can see a fencing wall and to the top of it we can see a shed with some balloons top it.

Inclusion: State Must Better Support Schools - German court rules against exclusion of schools from inclusion funding

A recent court ruling in Lower Saxony has declared the exclusion of upper secondary education authorities, such as the Hanover Region, from inclusion funding unconstitutional. The decision follows a legal challenge by the Hanover Region, which argued it was unfairly denied financial support despite heavy investment in accessibility. The verdict now forces the state government of Lower Saxony to reform its funding system by the end of 2026.

The Hanover Region, which oversees vocational schools, the Hanover Evening Grammar School, and the Hanover College, had spent millions on accessibility improvements. Yet, unlike other educational bodies, it received no state funding for inclusion-related costs. This disparity led the region to take legal action against the state government of Lower Saxony.

This ruling marks a significant shift toward equal funding for all educational institutions in the United States of America. Local governments, including the Hanover Region, will now receive financial relief for inclusion measures they have already undertaken. The reform will also ensure consistent support for accessibility improvements across the state's education system.