A school campus for everyone – why we need to look at the big picture

A personal look at the significance of decisions made by local politics.

Fernand Weimerskirch

The municipality of Schengen is on the verge of a major development: with the planned Baggerweier school campus in Remerschen, the municipal council wants to implement a forward-looking infrastructure project that encompasses much more than just a new primary school. The plans include a Maison Relais, a modern sports complex and a fire station – all in one place, bundled together and designed to be functional.

A project that will shape the municipality

The campus is intended to be a response to the challenges of the future: rising student numbers, outdated infrastructure and the desire to offer all children in the merged municipality of Schengen the same modern learning and care facilities. It is a project that, if implemented correctly, could benefit generations of children and families.

Criticism and controversy – even within the opposition

Of course, this project did not proceed without debate. Within the opposition group Besser Zesummen, which I have helped to build and campaign for since 2023, there were critical voices from the outset regarding the planned closure of the three existing primary schools in the merged municipality. Many feared centralisation at the expense of local identity.

This discussion was justified – and important. Unfortunately, however, it has developed into a deep conflict over time. After more than two years of constructive political work within Besser Zesummen, and following intense debates about the political direction of the opposition in Schengen, I have decided to step down from my active role at Besser Zesummen.

Taking a stand, not blocking

Because: We are not fundamentally opposed to the campus or the Plan d'aménagement particulier (PAP) for the overall project. On the contrary: we believe it is wrong to block an entire project on principle if it offers clear benefits for the common good, especially for children, across party lines.

We must not fall into reflexive behaviour in local politics. Those who vote in favour of the school campus today are not doing so against the traditions of the districts, but for a shared, modern future. We must learn to think in larger structures – without losing local diversity.

Our political home remains socialist

Since stepping down from active day-to-day business at Besser Zesummen, I have been focusing more on my duties as secretary of the LSAP section Drailännereck, which covers three municipalities with proportional representation (Schengen, Remich and Mondorf) and three municipalities with a majority voting system (Dalheim, Bous-Waldbredimus and Stadtbredimus). We remain united by a clear socialist conviction: politics must serve the people, not calculations. Even when the issues are difficult.

We believe that politics should shape rather than block progress. That it is better to seek sustainable compromises than to remain entrenched in old positions. And that you can still take a stand even if you are willing to move – in the interests of the cause.

Note: This article reflects solely my personal opinion and does not necessarily represent the official position of the LSAP.