Synopsis
The education system functions upon the rules set by Grundgesetz (the basic law). The Federal Ministries of Education, Cultural Affair and Science is the main authority for designing education, science and arts policy guidelines, and for adopting related laws and administrative regulations.
The Ministry cooperates with the Federation and German states authorities (landers) in directing the entire task of the educational institutions, organisations and foundations. The responsibility on education issues in Germany is shared amongst German state authorities and the Federation (which has a minor role), and areas of cooperation are between both parts that don’t exist and are called a joint task. German state authorities (landers) have a wide legislative power around their territory about schools, academics, adulthood and continuing sectors.
Early Childhood Education
Early childhood education is not compulsory; it is for children between the age group of 0-6 of age and supervision of German pre-school education has the responsibility of the respective German state. They have to manage issuing licences for pre-school education. For issuing the license there are some requirements to be fulfilled like having the right child ratio, enough space, proper equipment etc.
Preschool Education
German pre-school education is offered by privately-run day-care centres and less by organisations that are established by local officials. Preschool education is provided by Kinderkrippe (crèches), child-minding centres, kindergartens and day-care centres. Childhood education services are also offered by non-public organisations such as the Church. Local officials may offer preschool education services only if there are poor services of the leading providers.
The opening hours of the preschool education institutions are scheduled according to the parents and managing staff. However, usually, children get a seven-hour day of childhood education and care, including lunch and a midday break.
Pre-school education for children less than three years old focuses on communication skills between children, development skills through social interaction and to give motor development and this includes self-awareness, self-confidence, self-acceptance and other physical activities such as movement playing, singing etc.
Children over 2-6 years have to attend kindergarten where the educators focus on language, writing, communication, religious education, nature and cultural development, body movement and health, mathematics and science etc. and are taught through different creative activities.
Assessment Of Children In Preschool Education
Children are not assessed according to their achievement in education but supervised by the educators regarding their accomplishments from different learning activities. Students with disabilities and those in need of special education attend a special school that is offered by some Landers (German states) and are known as School Kindergarten Schulkindergärten or a Preliminary Class Vorklassen in advance.
Compulsory Education In Germany
Schooling is compulsory for 9-10 years. From Grades 1 to 4, children attend elementary/primary school (Grundschule), where the subjects taught are the same for all. In the States of Berlin and Brandenburg, Grundschule extends to Grade 6.
After Grade 4, there is a two-year testing period for students, and according to their abilities and family’s wish, they are divided into three kinds of secondary school: Hauptschule, Realschule and Gymnasium. Grundschule teachers recommend their students to a particular school based on their academic accomplishments and self-confidence.
Hauptschule
The Hauptschule is from Grade 5 to 9 and teachers teach the same subjects as in Realschule and Gymnasium but at a slower pace and with vocational training courses. It leads to part-time enrichment in a vocational school combined with studentship training until the age of 18.
Realschule
The Realschule (Grade 5-10 in most states) leads to part-time vocational schools and higher vocational schools. Also, it is now possible for students with high academic accomplishments at the Realschule to switch to a Gymnasium upon graduation.
Gymnasium
The Gymnasium leads to a qualification called the Abitur and prepares students for university study and vocational recommendations. The syllabus differs from school to school, but usually includes German, mathematics, computer science, physics, chemistry, biology, geography, art, music, history, philosophy, civics, social studies and several foreign languages. In recent years, many States have changed the syllabus so students can get the Abi (education certificate) at the end of Grade 12.
Gesamtschule
The Gesamtschule (global school) is only found in selective states. It is a combination of both the Hauptschule and Realschule. It registers students of different ability levels in Grade 5 to 10. Students who sufficiently complete Gesamtschule till Grade 9 receive the Hauptschule certificate and those who sufficiently complete schooling till Grade 10 grade receive the Realschule certificate.
Berufsschule
It basically combines academic study and studentship. The successful completion of a studentship programme leads to certification in a specific field of work. These schools mainly differ from the other ones introduced in that control rests not with the local and regional school administration but with the federal government, industry and the trade unions.
It doesn’t matter what kind of school a student attends, they have to complete at least nine years of education. A student dropping out of Gymnasium, for example, must apply in Realschule or Hauptschule until nine years have been completed. Students are required to study at least one foreign language for at least five years. A second foreign language is essential in Gymnasium.
Higher Education
There are different kinds of university-level schools in Germany. The classical universities, in the tradition of Alexander von Humboldt, provide general education and students normally attend them for up to six years. However, in recent years, there have been changes to the syllabus, allowing a university student to receive a Bachelor’s degree in six or seven semesters. A Master’s degree will need an additional three or four semesters.
The amount of time to obtain a degree depends particularly on the university and not the state. The syllabus might vary a bit from school to school. Technical universities (Technische Hochschulen) are aimed more at training students for specific careers. There are also Hochschulen (higher education, universities) for art and music. Many private schools also offer various degree programmes in a variety of subjects. Many of these schools offer command in English.
Scholarship In Germany
Deutschlandstipendium is a German scholarship programme that provides economic and immaterial support to accomplished and devoted students from all over the world. The Germany scholarship supports highly talented students at all participating universities in Germany.