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Germany educational system

The national educational system of Germany

The Federal Republic of Germany consists of 16 federal states (Länder). The Basic Law of the Federal Republic only contains some fundamental provisions on questions of education and alienates the exercise of governmental powers and the fulfilment of governmental responsibility to the federal states.

The education system in Germany is generally divided into five areas: pre-school education, primary education, secondary education, tertiary education, and continuing education. Administration of the education system in these areas is almost exclusively a matter for the states. Pre-school education is mainly provided by Kindergarten for children from a few months old to six years old. When children reach the age of six, they are obliged to attend primary school, which usually covers grades 1 to 4. The secondary education includes four types of schools based on children’s ability: low ability= secondary general schools (Hauptschulen), intermediate ability=  intermediate schools (Realschulen), and high ability = grammar schools (Gymnasien). Comprehensive schools (Gesamtschulen) combine the different types of secondary school. Secondary general school covers classes 5 to 9 (10 to 15 years), intermediate school covers classes 5 to 10 (10 to 16 years), and grammar school covers classes 5 to 12 (10 to 18 years). In addition to this, the secondary level is divided into two different levels: lower and upper secondary level. An upper secondary level certificate is needed to enter the tertiary sector. This sector encompasses institutions of higher education that offer study courses.  Continuing education refers to the issue of lifelong learning and is offered by municipal institutions as well as by private institutions.