Germany's Education System

The German education system is a very intricate and structured web. Following the optional kindergarten, obligatory education starts at age 6 and continues to age 10 where then the student can take one of three paths. The first and most basic path, the Hauptschule, prepares the student for a vocational line of work after only five more years of schooling. This second and more prestigious path, the Realschule, gives the student the option to further their education in attempt to go to university or attend a more advanced vocational school. This path is a 6 to 9 year program depending on the student’s abilities to continue on for three more years of university prep. The final and most rigorous path, the Gymnasium, is a 9-year program with the intent to get the student to university standards and prepare them for their entrance exam, the Abitur, that if passed grants the student acceptance to all universities in Germany. This system makes schooling a valuable asset in the eyes of the student and because they have set the standard and three levels it is very easy to obtain a basic education and this is reflected in Germany’s 100% graduation rate. Because only the elite from the third path go to university Germany has one of the lowest rates of continuing education to the university level a mere 34%. However, everyone is educated and, for the most part, employed.

The curriculum in German Schools is created by the Ministry of Culture and Education and is executed by the teacher as they wish providing they cover the bases set up by the ministry. The curriculum consists of 9-10 courses and increases as the student progresses in their education. The teachers are treated very nicely with one of the highest starting salaries of $29,697.00 second only to Switzerland. After 15 years of employment the pay rate increases annually by $6,349, making Germany’s teachers the third highest paid educators in the world.

The school starts in mid to late August and goes into mid to late June. The school day is quite long towards the end of the third path of education starting at 8 in the morning and going to 6 at night. This very elaborate system seems to pay off considering the literacy rate for Germany is 99%. It is very possible that other countries would have something to gain by adapting elements of this system.