Like almost every aspect of German social policy, the education system is facing a series of major changes. This follows the publication of a comparative international study of education that showed Germany’s educational standards have slipped in recent years sparking a major debate about the need for overhauling the country’s education system.

The way things stand at moment, the German education system is state-based with each of the German 16 states (Laender) operating their own school and educational system which differ in varying degrees from one another.

While German students are held to high academic standards and Germany and students regularly face oral examinations, the nation’s education is a far cry from the strict Prussian system that some expats fear they are launching their children into when they take up a posting in Germany. Often, however, the curriculum is very focused on academic pursuits rather than a range of more general interests such as photography or different kinds of music.

On average, children start school at the age of six. Some of the states have a cut-off date (such as 30 June). If the child is born after this date, they are considered a ‘kann Kind’ (literally ‘can child’) as opposed to a ‘muss Kind’ (‘must child’). This means that they can attend school if they pass a test but they are not obliged to start the following September.

The administrators generally try to discourage early admissions based on the assumption that even if the child is intellectually ready they may still be too socially and physically immature to begin school.

Prior to entering ‘Grundschule’ (primary or elementary school), most children attend ‘Kindergarten’ (pre-school.)

Kindergarten

Kindergarten is not a part of the regular public school system and is not required or free. Tuition is normally based on income. Space is often limited and even though it's not mandatory, the majority of three to six year olds attend them.

Daycare services are also provided at Kitas, which offer after-school and sometimes pre-school activities for children. The maximum age is about 11 or 12 with many Kitas offering facilities for quite young children. Once again a fee is charged for children attending for what are a very popular form of daycare in Germany.

These are privately operated daycare services, which offer an alternative to the state-run Kitas. While Kinderlaeden offer activities for pre-schoolers, Schuelerlaeden only offer after-school activities. Parents also have to pay a fee.

Children attend ‘Grundschule’ for four years. In some of the states, however, ‘Grundschule’ lasts six years.

On their first day at ‘Grundschule’ children bring a ‘Schultuete’ which is a large decorative conical parcel filled with candy and little presents and the older school children turn on a performance for the new students and their families.

In addition to the ‘3 R's’, the children learn about science, local history and geography. Additionally, children are given religion lessons. Parents may opt their children out of religion classes by having them attend ethics lessons.

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