Hamburg, June 22, 2026 – As temperatures rise, Hamburg’s school authorities are maintaining their policy of allowing individual schools to decide on early dismissals due to heat, rather than imposing blanket city-wide regulations. This approach acknowledges the significant variations in room temperatures across different school types and buildings.
Local Discretion for Heat-Related Closures
The Hamburg school authorities have deliberately refrained from setting mandatory temperature thresholds for granting ‘hitzefrei’ (heat-related early dismissal). Instead, the decision-making power rests with local school administrations. This flexibility allows schools to respond to specific conditions within their classrooms and buildings.
“We look into individual classrooms and may distribute children to other rooms,” explained Peter Bulicke, headmaster of the Julius-Leber-Schule in Schnelsen, highlighting the adaptive strategies employed by schools.
When is ‘Hitzefrei’ Typically Granted?
While there are no official guidelines, many schools consider early dismissal when temperatures in the shade exceed 27 degrees Celsius. At Gymnasium Allee in Altona, room temperatures are monitored, though they have not yet reached the levels typically seen in mid-summer. Similarly, Gymnasium Kaifu in Eimsbüttel measured the temperature in the shade at 11 AM and, finding it below 27 degrees, continued with regular classes. The general consensus is that concentration and well-being are significantly impaired above this temperature.
Upper Secondary Students Excluded from ‘Hitzefrei’
It is important to note that ‘hitzefrei’ typically applies only to students in grades one through nine. Students in upper secondary education (Oberstufe) are generally excluded from these early dismissals. This is due to their curriculum being geared towards final examinations and mandatory learning content, which cannot be easily interrupted. These students often have courses crucial for their qualifications, making early dismissal impractical.
Emergency Childcare Remains a Priority
Despite the flexible approach to ‘hitzefrei’, the Hamburg school authorities emphasize that schools are obligated to provide emergency childcare for younger students up to the age of 14, even during periods of high temperatures. This ensures that children have a safe and supervised environment regardless of whether classes are dismissed early.
Broader Context of Summer Weather and Public Interest
This discussion around ‘hitzefrei’ comes as northern Germany experiences a spell of summer weather. The extended Pentecost weekend saw an influx of tourists to the Baltic Sea and other inland holiday regions in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. Meteorologist Karsten Schwanke noted, “Summer is here and it’s here to stay,” predicting continued sunny and warm conditions with only minor exceptions.
The policy on ‘hitzefrei’ reflects a pragmatic approach by Hamburg’s education system to balance student well-being with educational continuity, allowing for localized decision-making in response to environmental conditions.
