Problems and particularities of the German school system
Basic structure of the school system in Germany - federalism
Basic Structure- Feteralism
In Germany one national structure or educational system doesn't
exist! It is part of the constitutional sovereignty of each federal
state (Kulturhohheit der Lnder). Every federal state has itsown
system. There are16 states, so there are 16 different school
systems as well. But some essentials are mostly the same in many
states and could characterise the German school system...
For many German kids Education starts in the Kindergarden. This
is as a pre-school establishment for children aged between three
and six as part of child and youth welfare.Its not obligatory; and
strictly speaking not part of the school system. Kindergarden may
be either publicly or privately maintained.In Saxony daily nursery
is organized by the local municipality as well.
Day nursery (Tageskrippe) and Kindergarden
Primary School- Grundschule
Primary school is compulsaryfor all children and starts withthe
age of six years. In most states it lasts 4 years, in Berlin and
Brandenburg it covers 6 years. Contents are reading,
writing,calculating, sport activities, arts, music and some
basicbiological, historical and socialfacts.
Secundary level of education I and II
The compulsory schoolattandance amounts 9 years, in some states
10 years. Afterprimary school parents canchoose - based on the
ability oftheir children - different tracks:
Primary school - Grundschuleorientation phase -
OrientierungsphaseRealschuleGesamtschuleGymnasiumSek I
Secundary level IHauptschuleReform-/ Privatschulen
Jenaplan,Waldorf,MontessorieFreie Schule...GymnasiumSek II
Secundary level IISek II
Secundary level II
The lower secondary level (I) starts mostly in class 5 and ends
with class 10.
Hauptschule
(lower vocational track; till grade 9 (15 years))
Realschule
(higher vocational track; till grade 10 (16 years)
In Saxony (Sachsen): Middle School
(combining Hauptschule and Realschule; till grade 10)
Regelschule and Sekundarschule
(in Thringen und Sachsen-Anhalt)
Comprehensive School
(combining Gymnasium, Hauptschule and
Realschule) in an Kurssystem
Gymnasium (academic track; till grade 9/10)
By the way in some states, after the Grundschule there are 2 years
of orientation phase before deciding for one of the tracks
above.
Federalism and what it means...
Federalism means 16 more or less independent federal states with
their own:- school systems (z.B. middele school in Saxony)
- curricula etc. - final examinations
but same school leaving certificates: Hauptschulabschluss
(qualification for vocational education in non academic jobs;
usually after grade 9)
Mittlerer Abschluss (qualification for vocational education in
more non academic jobs; usually after grade 10)
Abitur (qualification for university and vocational education in
academic jobs; usually after grade 12/13)
Run for university or Hochschule
Abitur is the name for our higher education entrance
qualification (Hochschulreife), which entitles pupils to run for
universities or high schools in every of the federal states.
For some overcrowded fields like medicine and psychology
traditionally a quota system known as Numerus Clausus is
astablished.
For music, photografy, arts, theater,... special test are
common.
The national curriculum
All the students here, will be teachers in Gymnasium. They need
to teach secondary school level I and II.
Repeating:
Secondary education level I in Saxony starts in grade 5 and
lasts to grade 10; level II from 11 to 12.
Problems and propabilities
Much higher spread of education between pupils than in other
countries
To switch to different education systems is difficult
Problems of the educational system have high publicity, but the
structure of tripartite seems unchangeable.
This leads to a hype of alternative or private schools like
Waldorf, Montessori, christian schools, Jenaplan, ...
