In Germany, parents are not allowed to teach their children at home. The state’s educational mandate requires compulsory schooling for all children. Normally, children will be enrolled at the age of six and receive nine-year compulsory education.
How the school system in Germany is established?
At the beginning, children attend primary school for four years. After that, the school system is further divided into secondary schools, grammar schools and comprehensive schools.
The lower secondary school ends at the 9th grade with the lower secondary school leaving certificate, whereas the Secondary school ends at the 10th grade with the Secondary school leaving certificate. After that, pupils can choose either vocational training or continuity of schooling. The grammar school ends at the 12th or 13th grade with the Abitur, which entitles you to study at a college or a university.
Does one have to pay school fees in Germany?
The public schools, which ensure high quality of education, are free of charge in Germany, since they are financed by taxes. Around nine percent of the pupils go to private schools, which require school fees.
What is the responsibility of schools?
In Germany, school is not organized by the Federal Government. The ministries of culture of the 16 Federal States are responsible for this matter. In each Federal State, the range of subjects, curricula, degrees and transition between school forms may vary from one another.