(L-R) Claude Meisch, Minister of National Education, Childhood and Youth; Jessy Medinger, New School Planning Group Coordinator; Credit: MENEJ

On Wednesday 9 February 2022, Luxembourg's Minister of National Education, Children and Youth, Claude Meisch, presented the new International School Gaston Thorn (École internationale Gaston Thorn - EIGT), during a press conference at Geesseknäppchen Campus in Luxembourg-Merl.

The EIGT will be the sixth public European school in the Grand Duchy and will be the first such school in Luxembourg-ville. With its establishment, public European education will be offered in all regions of the country from the 2022/2023 school year. The EIGT bears the name of the former Luxembourg Prime Minister and first President of the European Commission, Gaston Thorn, who represented economic and social modernisation and the values ​​of a united Europe.

Accredited European Schools

The educational landscape in Luxembourg has grown considerably in recent years. Efforts to diversify the public and free school offer are continuing and offer students flexibility in the choice of languages.

The Luxembourgish language plays a key role for integration. For this reason, all pupils in European education, including pupils at the new Gaston Thorn International school, will take Luxembourgish lessons at the rate of two units per week, throughout their primary education and up to the third year of secondary school, as well as in reception classes.

"With the Gaston Thorn International School, we are creating another important pillar of a more diverse educational landscape. Different schools for different students provide a fair chance at success for our children and youth. Regardless of their mother tongue, their social and cultural background", said Minister Meisch.

The EIGT will become operational in time for the start of the 2022/2023 academic year with seven primary classes spread over the three language sections (German-speaking, French-speaking and English-speaking) of the first two school years. At the secondary level, the new school will offer ten classes in total, in first and second years. In addition, a welcome class and the first year of the preparation path will also be offered. In the long term, the school offer will extend from kindergarten right the way up to taking the European Baccalaureate.

In addition to the language sections, French, German or English can be chosen as the first or second language at primary level; in secondary school, Italian, Portuguese or Spanish can also be chosen as a third language.

The EIGT will operate on a continuous day basis. Primary students will have the opportunity to take advantage of the day care facilities (maison relais). In addition, during lunch breaks and after lessons, primary school students and secondary school students can participate in extra-curricular activities.

A pedagogical concept with three pillars

The philosophy of the new school is based on three pillars that emphasise the development of 21st century skills and the personal growth of students:

  • The digital environment of young people: Strengthening the digital environment of young people means developing digital skills, searching for information, verifying sources and making the student an informed and responsible actor in society and in the digital world;
  • The world of music: Music education will be integrated as a red thread in school life and will have its place both in all lessons and in extra-curricular activities;
  • Democracy: At EIGT, democracy is also lived on a daily basis: the whole school community can actively participate in the decision-making processes and in the development of the school.

A public European school located in the heart of the City of Luxembourg

The EIGT will begin at the start of the school year in September 2022 with approximately 300 students, on two sites.

The primary school will be set up in Cessange (rue Verte) in a building integrating both the school and the foyer scolaire, thereby creating a place adapted to the needs of the children.

Secondary education, reception classes and the preparation route will be located in the "Blumm" building on the Geesseknäppchen Campus in Merl and will share this building with the National School for Adults (l'École nationale pour adultes - ENAD).

In the long term, the Gaston Thorn International School will be based in the Luxembourg-Limpertsberg district.

Registration

Enrolment at the Gaston Thorn International School will open from Tuesday 1 March 2022, to all students, regardless of their place of residence.

For further information on the Gaston Thorn International School, see www.eigt.lu.