Education in Germany

In 2012 the United nations put together an effort to try and engage a multitude of
countries on the increase of education importance. This was a five-year plan with three priorities
to capitalize on by 2015. These three initiatives include: putting every child in school, improving
the quality of learning, and fostering global citizenship (UNESCO).
Lets take a look at the number of children enrolled in public education in 2012. In 2012
the enrollment was 103.09%, this is already a significant decrease from the year 2000 where this
number was 107.173%. According to the website, these numbers can be over 100% because of
factors such as students being held back or enrolled in school early.

This graph depicts the number

of students enrolled in German
education between 20002014. It also depicts the
beginning of the movement
based on the 1st priority of the
UN, to get every child enrolled
in school.
http://data.worldbank.org/topi
c/education?locations=DE

From 2012 to 2014 there was a slight increase. In 2014 enrollment was 103.335%. This shows
that with the implementation of this program there has been an increase of enrollment into
schools. There are a multitude of factors which go in to the ever-changing educational system in
Germany. The first, is the fact that in Germany going to school is a requirement of the law
between the ages of 6 and 15. The second factor is that of social classes. In Germany, there are

three separate types of schooling for children: Gymnasium, Realschule, and Hauptschule (The
German Way and More). Gymnasium is schooling which is well known for being upper class
this schooling is for well-educated students who will graduate from college when they are
finished. Realschule is the middle class similar to that of a high school diploma. Hauptschule
is lower class it is tailored more towards the tradesmen industry. Another indicator of the
enrollment in education is that in college is primarily free in Germany. However, from 20042007 some states introduced fees for education.
The second priority is improving the quality of learning. The use of the socialized tiers of
education, help to keep students sorted into their learning level. They also instituted a
standardized test called PISA (Program for International Student Assessment) (Berwick, 2015).
This test showed students in Germany had scores which were increasing, and they are currently
ranked 20th for math proficiency. This test has also led to the creation of standards for grades 3-8
in Germany.

This image depicts the

average scores globally on the
PISA in the year 2000 prior to
the introduction to the
priorities of Education. Here,
Germany is below the average
test score. This supports the
second priority prior to its
efforts to improve the quality
of learning.
http://www.theatlantic.com/ed
ucation/archive/2015/11/greatgerman-scoolturnaround/413806/

After the results came back from the first standardized test, solutions were put in place. This
helped to increase the PISA scores and managed to get the test scores above average (Berwick,
2015). Therefore, Germany is also on track with the first and second priorities.
The third priority is fostering global citizenship. Fostering global citizenship through
education is solidarity between citizens across the world (UNESCO). What this is saying, is
essentially world acceptance for those of a different race, those with a disability, and for anyone
who is different than you. In Germany, this has been accomplished through a majority of ways,
primarily, studying abroad. By studying abroad, students are able to gain a much better
understanding of cultures around them, they are able to immerse themselves in a new education
system. By doing so, they learn the customs through a new perspective and way of life. This
grants them a greater appreciation for different cultures.
In conclusion, Germany has met all three standards. They have shown an increase in the
student population from 2012 to 2015. The country has created standardized testing, and
improved upon the test grades between 2000 and 2015. Germany has also found a way to foster
global citizenship by immersing students in education worldwide, allowing them to gain a better
understanding of the cultures surrounding them. Therefore, the three initiatives have been met
and Germany is ready for more.

References
Berwick, C. (2015, November 3). The Great German School Turn Around. Retrieved November
04, 2016, from http://www.theatlantic.com/education/archive/2015/11/great-german-scoolturnaround/413806/
Every child in school | United Nations Educational. (n.d.). Retrieved November 04, 2016, from
http://www.unesco.org/new/en/gefi/priorities/every-child-in-school/
The German Way and More. (n.d.). Retrieved November 04, 2016, from http://www.germanway.com/history-and-culture/education/the-german-school-system/