The German
education
system
functions upon the rules and regulations of the Basic Law “Grundgesetz”. The Federal Ministries of
Education
, Cultural Affair and Science is the main authority for making
education
, science and arts policy guidelines, and for adopting related laws and administrative regulations.
The ministry closely collaborates with the Federation and Länders (German states) authorities, in supervising the entire activity of the educational institutions, organizations and foundations.
Responsibility on
education
issues in Germany is shared amongst Länders and the Federation (which has a minor role). Though, there are areas of cooperation in the
education
field for which
such
a distinction between both parts doesn’t exist, known as “joint tasks” or “Gemeinschaftsaufgaben”.
Landers,
on the other hand
,
a wide legislative power around their territory about
school
, academic, adult and continuing sector (except if the Basic law empowers the Federation with
such
a power
instead
).
The German
education
system
is divided into 5 levels:
Early Childhood
Education
.
Primary
Education
.
Secondary
Education
.
Tertiary
Education
.
Continuing
Education
.
Early Childhood
Education
in Germany
What Is Considered Preschool
Education
in Germany?
Early childhood
education
is optional
education
and care that children between 0-6 of
age
receive in the Federal Territory of Germany.
Who’s Responsible for the German Preschool
Education
?
Supervision of the German pre-
school
education
is mainly the responsibility of the State Youth Welfare Office “Landesjugendämter” of the respective Lander. They’re in charge of issuing licenses for the preschool
education
and care institutions.
To get
such
a preschool
education
operation license, providers have to meet the requirements.
This
includes having the right child
/
staff ratio, properly qualifications educators, adequate space, appropriate equipment and hygiene, as well as the
age
-appropriate
education
program.
Youth offices manage
also
the operation and investment money that Lander or “Kommunen” allocates for activities and advancement of German preschool
education
centersan area that is approximately central within some larger region
.
Which Are the Institutions of Preschool
Education
in Germany?
German pre-
school
education
is largely offered by privately-run day-care
centersan area that is approximately central within some larger region
and less by institutions established by local authorities. Preschool
education
providers are “Kinderkrippen” (crèches), child-minding
centersan area that is approximately central within some larger region
, kindergarten, and day-care
centersan area that is approximately central within some larger region
.
Priority in offering childhood
education
services is offered to non-public organizations,
such
as Churches, Welfare or Parent’s Associations. Local authorities may
offer
preschool
education
services, only if there’s a lack of private initiatives or poor services of the aforementioned providers.
Opening hours of the preschool
education
institutions are scheduled in cooperation between parents and managing staff.
However
, usually children get a 7-hour day childhood
education
and care, including lunch and sometimes a midday break.
Which Are the Teaching Methodology and Materials in Preschool
Education
in Germany?
For Children Under the
Age
of 3
The
core
educational mission of the German preschool
education
(
age
under 3) is the enhancement of communication skills amongst kids.
Secondly
, it is the
development
of their
language
skills through the social interaction with other toddlers and adults.
Communication and
language
skills are taught by
language
role model (educators), finger plays, singing, pictured books and additional teaching
/
instruments.
Furthermore
, an important part in pre-educating children is given to the motor
development
.
This
includes increasing body awareness, self-acceptance, self-confidence and concentration amongst the toddlers.
Motor
development
is reached through physical activities, visiting public environments, rhythmic early
education
programs, singing and movement playing.
For the Children over the
Age
of 2
Core
values that preschool
education
seeks to develop amongst children are the enhancement of their teamwork skills, along with their
level
of integration in daily life activities.
Key areas of German preschool
education
of children older than 2 are (1)
language
, writing, communication, (2) personal and social
development
, (3)
development
of values and religious
education
, (4) mathematics, natural sciences, (information) technology (5) fine arts
/
working with different media (6) body, movement, health and (7)
and cultural environments.
Such
values are taught through self-organized learning, creative learning, teamwork building activities, investigation and experimental activities.
Assessment of the Educational Achievements in Preschool
Education
in Germany
Children are not assessed regarding their educational achievement reached by participating in German preschool institutions.
Instead
, they’re constantly supervised by their educators or trainers regarding their attainment from learning activities.
The opinion of educators is discussed with parents of the children, who together agree on
further
measures on
development
of kids’ learning skills.
What If a Child Isn’t yet Ready
to Begin
Compulsory
School
Studies?
There is a middle option for children having reached the compulsory
school
attendance
age
, who yet hasn’t reached the needed
development
leading to
further
studies.
This
is relevant for children with disabilities and those in in need for special
education
. So, they attend a special
school
offered by some Landers, known as
School
Kindergarten “Schulkindergärten”, or a Preliminary Class “Vorklassen” beforehand.
Compulsory
Education
in Germany
What Is Considered as Compulsory
Education
in Germany?
All Germans are obliged to attend primary and secondary
education
, ever since they reach the
age
of 6, up until they complete a 9
-year
full-time schooling at
, or 10 years of full-time years for other general
education
schools.
If youngsters fail to attend full-time classes at the general or vocational
education
schools, at upper secondary
level
,
they’ve
to attend part-time left-aside classes.
This
applies even if
they’ve
already passed the period of their compulsory
education
.
Such
obligation is known as compulsory attendance “Berufsschule Berufsschulpflicht” and lasts 3 years.
Other children who fail to attend at
such
education
and training,
they’ve
may be required to attend full-time classes and trainings (for vocational schools only).
Disabled youngsters have an obligation to complete compulsory
education
too.
In dependencea city in western Missouri; the beginning of the Santa Fe Trail
to their special
education
needs “Sonderpädagogischer Förderbedarf” they will attend either a normal
school
or a special
school
“Sonderpädagogische Bildungseinrichtungen”.
German compulsory
education
obliges pupils to regularly participate in
school
lessons, as well as in other formal and informal schooling activities
/
events
/
projects.
Such
compulsion extends
also
to their parents who’ve to regularly supervise
study
progress of their children and participate in
school
parent’s meetings.
This
also
includes training companies which are in charge of keeping the evidence of the pupils’ attendance in the vocational training and children’s practical commitment (for vocational schools).
German Primary
Education
What Is Considered Primary
Education
in Germany?
Grundschule (primary
school
)
offer
mandatory
education
through mixed-ability classes for children of
age
6 until they complete
grade
4 (or 6 in Berlin and Brandenburg) of
school
studies.
There are two primary
school
education
systems in Germany. In a 5-day
school
week pre-
education
system
, there’re 188 teaching days
/
annually. In a 6-day
school
week preschool
system
, there’re 208 days of teaching
/
annually, by including
also
teachings during 2 Saturdays
/
every month.
Primary
school
pupils are obliged to attend 20 to 29
coursesa small group of indispensable persons or things
/
1 week, and 20-22 /
first
year. Primary
school
courses normally
last
up to 45 minutes. During 1 day up to 6 courses can be taught.
Which are the Teaching Practices in Primary Schools in Germany?
The
core
objective of the German primary
education
is
development
of essential understanding, skills, abilities and key competences amongst pupils.
Subjects taught in German primary schools are German
language
, mathematics, general studies, foreign
language
,
art
, handicrafts
/
textile design,
music
, sports, and religion
/
ethics. They
also
teach intercultural, mint, media, health, musical-aesthetic, sustainable
development
, and values
education
.
Learning objectives in primary schools are attained through engagement of pupils in planning, running,
analyzingconsider in detail and subject to an analysis in order to discover essential features or meaning
study
subjects (lessons) in an adapted way, which goes along with their
knowledge
, interest, curiosity and concerns. Students are
also
encouraged to take part in organizing initiatives and interdisciplinary projects of the
school
.
Primary
school
textbooks in Germany, used as
study
reference, have to be approved the respective Ministry.
People suffering long-term or permanent illness or physical incapacity who couldn’t attend primary
education
may well receive
such
education
at their homes.
offers
special primary Suggestion
a special primary education scheme
special primary education schemes
education
scheme for children of the professional
travelersa person who changes location
, who cannot attend regular primary
education
. Schools like
School
for Children of Professional
TravelersSuggestion
Travellers
Travelling
Travels
“Schule für die kinder beruflich Reisender”
offer
separate
education
for
such
group of children, during the period they’re not
travelingthe act of going from one place to another
.
There’s even a
School
for Circus Children “Schule für Circuskinder”.
Germany has
also
vocationally-oriented primary
education
modules.
This
education
is offered for the children of workers in companies
/
institutions
such
as EU project BeKoSch (
Development
of Professional Skills for Showmen through Modules).
What’s more, Germany has International Schools offering primary
education
through bilingual lessons in several languages,
such
as the European Schools.
Which Is the Grading
System
in German Primary Schools?
By completing lessons of the
grade
1, children
are automatically transferred to the
grade
2, regardless
of
knowledge
attained during
such
studies.
Starting from
grade
2, these children are awarded a suitable mark,
in dependencefreedom from control or influence of another or others
to the
level
of
knowledge
they’ve
attained during studies. If failing to pass the
grade
, children have to repeat the
grade
lessons once more.
In the Pupil’s
school
report “Zeugnis” is issued showing all the marks achieved during a
school
year, and according to
that is
decided whether the child will pass to the
next
grade
or has to repeat the same
grade
.
The progress of pupils in German primary schools is evaluated upon a 6-mark grading
system
as follows:
1 (very good).
2 (good).
3 (satisfactory).
4 (adequate).
5 (poor).
6 (very poor).
Does a Pupil Receive a Primary
School
Leaving Certificate in Germany?
There isn’t any examination upon completing a German primary
school
.
Thus
,
primary Suggestion
the primary school-leaving certificate
a primary school-leaving certificate
school
-leaving certificate
, except for the Lander Baden-Württemberg and Rheinland-Pfalz.
Instead
, when pupils leave a German primary
school
they must have reached “the Grundschule target outcomes”.
Accordingly
, there
an annual report of their studies during 4th
/
6th
grade
.
What Is Considered Secondary
Education
in Germany?
German Secondary
education
takes place after the primary
school
, and it’s separated into lower secondary
level
“Sekundarstufe I” and upper secondary
level
“Sekundarstufe II”.
The lower secondary
education
is the
education
offered for pupils of
age
10 – 15
/
16 in grades 5
/
7 to 9
/
10. Lessons
this
level
are of a general nature and serve as preparation for the upper
level
of secondary
education
.
The upper secondary
education
is the
education
that pupils of
age
15
/
16 – 18
/
who have completed lower
level
of secondary
school
receive for the purpose of getting a
university
entrance
qualification
or a vocational
qualification
.
This
level
resumes all the courses of lower secondary
built the basis of
knowledge
of the participating pupils.
Germany has various secondary schools attended by children of various abilities and various prior qualifications received in primary
education
.
Which Are the Types of Secondary Schools in Germany?
Federal country of Germany offers secondary
education
in public and private schools.
Germany’s publicly-funded secondary schools are:
German high schools issuing specialized qualifications in one
study
area.
“Gymnasium”. Providing intensive and in-depth general
education
, general
knowledge
university
studies, and for scientific work. It normally covers schooling years from
grade
5-12 or 5-13, leading to an “Allgemeine Hochschulreife” known as “Abitur”.
“Hauptschule”. Teaching basic general
education
, leading to a vocational or
university
entrance
qualification
.
Education
in
such
school
lasts from
grade
5-9, and sometimes includes the
grade
10 as well, leading to a “Hauptschulabschluss”.
“Realschule”. Offering more extensive
education
, leading to a vocational or
university
entrance
qualification
. It usually covers schooling years from
grade
5 to 10, “Realschulabschluss”.
German schools with more than one
study
course “Schularten
mit
mehreren
Bildungsgängen”. They
offer
2-3 different
study
subjects.
German vocational schools. They
offer
lessons and practical placement, known as a dual
system
. These are the types of vocational schools available in Germany:
“
Fachoberschule
”. Providing 2
-year
education
to the holders of
“Mittlerer Schulabschluss” leading to a “Fachhochschulreife”, entitling holder to enter a
university
of applied sciences. If a 13
grade
is held
this
institution, a pupil completing it can receive a “Fachgebundene Hochschulreife” or an “Abitur”.
“
Berufsoberschule
”. Providing a 2
-year
general and in-depth
education
and training regarding initial vocational
knowledge
and training obtained during previous
education
, leading to a vocational
qualification
(or Abitur – by proving the good command in
second foreign Suggestion
a second foreign language
language
). There is
also
a 3
/
4 year course of
study
which is aimed at getting a double
qualification
, both vocational and higher
education
qualification
.
“Berufsfachschule”. Offering
education
for one or few professions which require formal recognition or leading to a vocational training
qualification
.
“
Berufsschule
”. Delivering practically-oriented and interdisciplinary lessons and skills, which prepare pupils for
further
vocational
education
or for a job in a profession. They do that based on the dual
system
,
education
and training combined.
“Berufliches Gymnasium”. Providing a 3
-year
long secondary
education
program, leading to an Abitur.
Germany’s private secondary schools are the following:
Alternative schools “Ersatzschulen”. Providing equal lessons and courses
public secondary schools.
Complementary schools “Ergänzungsschulen”. Teaching additional courses, despite those that are
also
offered in the public secondary schools.
Which are the Objectives of the German Secondary
Education
?
Lower secondary
education
in Germany, as its
core
mission has the fundamental
education
, individual specialization, and identification of individual abilities amongst children.
German secondary
education
objectives are achieved by:
Engaging children intellectually, emotionally and physically.
Teaching them independence, decision making, as well as personal, social and political responsibility.
Assisting them in attaining their educational goals.
Supporting them in advancing their specialist
knowledge
.
General upper secondary schools in Germany aim to prepare youngsters with the needed understanding to obtain the Abitur or other
university
entrance
qualification
. With a
university
entrance
qualification
they can apply for
further
academic studies in any German higher
education
institution, or apply for a professional
education
and training
study
course.
Gymnasium offers youngsters with exhaustive understanding, expertise and know-hows for German and foreign
language
as well as Mathematics. These institutions
also
taught young people self-
development
, social responsibility, and participation in democratic society.
Additionally
, they’re informed and guided regarding academic institutions and their admission requirements, vocational sphere and access requirements, together with the employment prospect in various professions.
Upper secondary
education
offered during 2 full-time years by the German vocational
high-schoolsa public secondary school usually including grades 9 through 12
“Berufliches Gymnasium” prepares youngsters
a vocational
qualification
for a skilled work as qualified staff “Fachgebundene Hochschulreife”.
Such
qualification
allows them to get a job in a profession requiring a formal
qualification
. The same time,
such
qualification
can lead into a
university
entrance
qualification
, if the holder shows a good command
a
second
foreign
language
.
Additionally
, with
such
qualification
the holder can
study
in a technical
university
, but before that,
they’ve
to
study
for 2 years until they get a maturity certificate “Mittlerer Schulabschluss”.
Which is the Grading
system
in the German Secondary
School
?
The progress of pupils in the German secondary schools is evaluated upon a 6-mark grading
system
as follows:
1 (very good).
2 (good).
3 (satisfactory).
4 (adequate).
5 (poor).
6 (very poor).
What Makes a Tertiary
Education
in Germany?
German tertiary
education
in Germany provides higher
education
for qualifying individuals, who before all, have completed secondary
education
in Germany or abroad which entitles them to enter higher
education
studies.
Who’s Responsible for Supervision of German Tertiary
Education
?
Higher
education
institutions under the Basic law enjoy the autonomy to independently manage the scholarship awarding, research and teaching activity.
For administrative issues,
such
as academic and governmental matters, these institutions have to be in accord with the Lander’s ministry.
Which Are the Institutions of German Tertiary
Education
?
Higher
education
studies (tertiary
education
providers) in Germany are named the recognized institutions providing higher
education
study
courses leading to a profession that addresses
of the local and international
labour
market
.
Germany’s
education
providers, recognized as Higher
Education
Institutions are:
Universities “Universitäten” and Equal Institutions.
“
Technische
Hochschulen”/”Technische Universitäten”.
“Pädagogische Hochschulen”.
Theological colleges.
Universities of Applied Sciences “Fachhochschulen”.
Art
and
Music
Colleges.
Higher
Education
Institutions for Federal Armed Forces.
Higher
Education
Institutions Offering Dual Studies “Berufsakademie” (BA).
Institutions of Continuing Vocational
Education
“Fachschulen” And “Fachakademien” In Berlin. According to the International Standard Classification of
Education
(ISCED), the
education
received from these institutions is equal to the
first
level
of higher
education
.
What Are German Universities and Equal Institutions Specialized In?
German universities are higher
education
institutions providing
of
study
courses. Equivalent institutions to universities
offer
a minor number of
study
courses,
irefers to the speaker or writer
.e.
and engineering, theology, pedagogy, or alike.
Despite differences between them, both of these institutions are entitled to award
Ph(from potential of Hydrogen) the logarithm of the reciprocal of hydrogen-ion concentration in gram atoms per liter; provides a measure on a scale from 0 to 14 of the acidity or alkalinity of a solution (where 7 is neutral and greater than 7 is more basic and less than 7 is more acidic);
.D.
“Doktorgrad” (Promotionsrecht).
Universities and equivalent institutions
also
have the exclusivity to
offer
education
and scientific research
study
programs for the future academics.
What Are Colleges of
Art
and
Music
in Germany Specialized In?
German colleges of
art
and
music
are higher
education
institutions delivering
study
courses for
of the future artists or musicians, including teachers of
art
or
music
. Some of these institutions teach all
art
subjects and some others only certain
study
subjects of
such
area.
German colleges or
art
and
music
offer
the following
study
courses:
Visual, design and performing arts.
Film, television and media.
Theoretical studies, through the following
core
subjects:
Fine arts.
Art
history and
art
pedagogy.
History and teaching of
music
.
Media and communication.
Digital media.
What Are the Universities of Applied Sciences “Fachhochschulen” Specialized In?
German universities of applied sciences “Fachhochschulen” are independent higher
education
institutions providing
-oriented and responsive teaching and research programs, towards
labour
market
needs. These institutions are mainly self-sustained, and some of them are publicly funded.
The key distinction feature of German universities of applied sciences is
of a paid practical training (practical job) “Praxissemester” in the
study
program.
Such
trainings are carried in premises of private businesses or public institutions
/
administrations aimed at placing the student closer to the
labour
market
needs.
Teaching professors in Fachhochschulen, despite being academics, have a strong background of professional experience in the
labour
market
, out of the academia.
German Universities of applied sciences
offer
the following
study
courses:
Agricultural economy.
Design.
Technology.
Business.
Social work.
Along with other German universities of applied sciences, there is a “Verwaltungsfachhochschulen”. They provide
study
programs especially designed for training and educating civil servants of the Federal public administration. There are about 29
such
institutions in Germany, and they are sponsored and managed by the Federation or the Land.
Note: In some Landers Fachhochschulen is called “Hochschulen für
Wissenschaften”.