Primary school children in Sleen will be in good hands in a few years. The two primary schools in the village, De Akker (public, 120 students) and De Fontein (Protestant-Christian, 80 students), are working on a future plan for one new and, above all, energy-neutral school building. Whether this will also lead to a school merger remains to be seen. “We are still in an exploratory phase.”
Jolien Thiele says the latter on behalf of educational group Fiers, of which De Fontein is a part. The two schools, on Westrupstraat and Oldenhoffstraat in the village, are right next to each other. The current buildings are dated and are therefore high on the list to be addressed by the municipality of Coevorden.
“That is why the starting point now is to work together towards one new building,” says Thiele. “When I look at De Fontein, it is clear to us that this school building has been written off and that it no longer fits well with the way we want to offer education. Nowadays we have a greater need for learning areas and smaller spaces where groups can work.” In addition, the somewhat older school buildings lack sustainability and energy savings.
That is why, as far as the schools are concerned, one new construction project for both schools is obvious, says Roelof From on behalf of the educational group Arcade, which includes De Akker. “We are already in discussions about this with the municipality of Coevorden. We are still at an early stage, but it is expected that we will be able to take further steps early next year.”