Chapter 3 Education System in Germany

Question 1

When did the school type of “Gesamtschule” first appear?

Answer 1

1972

Question 2

What was the idea behind for “Gesamtschule” (three main points)?

Answer 2

Comprehensive school
- pupils would no longers have to made a premature decision on types of secondary school
- Enjoy greater mobility between school types
- Offer wider choice of subjects

Question 3

Which federal state never introduced “Gesamtschulen”?

Answer 3

Bayern

Question 4

At what age do German children start compulsory schooling? How many years do children attend “Grundschule”?

Answer 4

Age of 6 on 30th Jun; for 4 years

Question 5

How is Grundschuler performance measured (scale range)?

Answer 5

scaled between 1 (Very good) and 6 (unsatisifactory)

Question 6

What are “Sonderschulen”?

Answer 6

Special schools; Children with special needs; from preschool to secondary school

Question 7

Describe the 3 main secondary school types and their characteristics.

Answer 7

Hauptschule - general, practical education who go straight into work/ take up vocational training (blue-collar jobs)

Realschule - combined academic education to vocational orientation (white-collar jobs)

Gymnasium - grammar school; more academic-based, leading to general university admission certificate

Question 8

What is the “Dual System”? Describe it

Answer 8

• Combination of paid training in workplace with part time vocational school attendance until age of 18
• General education and training in skills
• Largely funded by the employer and intense cooperation

Question 9

How has the “Dual System” been critized (4 main points of criticism)? And what is good about the system?

Answer 9

Pros
High quality and the flexibility of the vocational training provided

Cons
- Not promoting the skills of participation and co-operation a workplace
- Not responded rapidly or flexibly enough to the broader range of skills now required
- Exploiting trainees as cheap labour
- Completion of training does not guarantee employment