3. Some further aspects of the German school system

Written jointly with Zeynep Acharya and with inputs from various official internet sites

This is the third part of a series of essays on the German school system, the first was the school through the eyes of a student, the second was the school system through the eyes of a teacher and this third part is about some important points that have not been mentioned so far.

Free and Compulsory Education – Education as a Right and a Duty

Free and compulsory schooling is a cornerstone of German life. Schulpflicht is a fundamental principle in Germany, which means school attendance is not only a right, it is also a duty; attendance is compulsory and mandatory. It ensures that every child, regardless of background or financial means, has access to free schooling. In Germany, general schooling is compulsory for nine to ten years, followed by compulsory vocational schooling if the child is not attending full-time school.

Example: I once had a student who was ill for an extended period. Thanks to compulsory schooling and close cooperation with the parents, we were able to create an individualized learning plan to ensure he didn't fall behind.

Textbooks and learning materials are provided free of charge or for a small rental fee in many German states. For me, this is an essential sign that education should not depend on financial means.

Example: My school has a "book exchange corner." Children whose parents can't afford new books often find exactly what they need there – and no one has to be ashamed.

One aspect I find particularly important: We don't have a mandatory school uniform. This allows children to express themselves freely – a small but valuable building block towards individuality. At the same time, this presents us with the challenge of strengthening the sense of community in other ways.

Food: Many schools and kindergardens in Germany, especially the ones that are open all day, offer freshly cooked, hot and nutritious lunch to their students. Approximately 69% of students aged 6–17 currently have the opportunity to take advantage of this service.

"For many children, the hot lunch at our school is more than just a meal – it's a moment of fellowship. Between conversations and laughter at the table, they gather strength for the rest of the day. The fact that parents only have to pay an average of around €3.50 per portion is thanks to subsidies from the city – and that's precisely what makes it possible for every child to participate."

School Hours – Between Tradition and Change

Our school days usually end in the early afternoon – a blessing for some, but often an organizational hurdle for working parents. This is why afternoon care and after-school clubs are indispensable. Of course while there are no fees for the regular hours of school, parents have to contribute to the afterschool care in the afternoon.

They offer not only supervision but also support in sports, music, or languages. Some children use this time for tutoring to close learning gaps – a practice that unfortunately shows that equal opportunities have not yet been fully achieved in practice.

Class times vary depending on the type of school. In my school, for example, there are 6 periods each of 45 minutes, with two breaks in between. After this, some of children then go home, while others stay on for a 7th period in which they do some extracurricular activities in Clubs like "School Garden" or "Robotics." Classes for the younger grades end by 1 p.m. 

Most schools in Germany have clubs or working groups (ArbeitsGemeinschaften, abbreviated to AG), in which students can participate voluntarily outside of compulsory classes. Working groups can be formed on almost any conceivable topic; traditionally, most schools have working groups for music, dance, art, photography, sports etc.

Afternoon Care and Activities – More than Just Keeping Children Safe

Afternoon care has become a central component of many schools in recent years, especially all-day schools. It not only provides supervision but also provides an educationally valuable space where children can learn, play, and develop their interests.

Typical elements:

• Homework support with specialist guidance

• Leisure activities such as sports, music, theater, and art

• Support programs for children with learning difficulties

• Social projects such as cooking classes or environmental activities

Example: In the "Creative Club," we're working on a mosaic for the schoolyard. While some children concentrate on laying the tiles, others talk about how their day has gone. This often leads to conversations that don't have a place in regular classes—about friendships, worries, or dreams.

Tutoring – Individual Support for More Equal Opportunities

Tutoring can be arranged privately, through schools, or through community programs. It helps close learning gaps and build self-confidence.

Forms:

• In-school support sessions

• Private tutoring centers

• Peer tutoring by older students

• Online tutoring

Example: A student in my class received free tutoring through a community program. After six months, his English grade improved significantly—and, most importantly, he lost his fear of speaking.

Excursions, Exchange programmes and more

Most schools arrange for entire school classes with their teacher to go for an excursion or a trip every year; this trip can be just a day-trip or can last as long as a week. Some trips can be educational (like to a museum or an exhibition) but can also be for a project (to learn about agriculture) or simply to learn how to ski. In any case they can be great fun. 

Many schools have partnerships with schools in other countries (like Spain, France or Italy) and it is often that school groups often with a teacher visit the partner school, often to improve language skills of the students.

Beyond these school exchanges are individual student exchange programmes when a German student say from Grade 8 does a full year of study in a school in Canada, staying with a host family there.

Examination Systems – Making Performance Visible; Continuous Evaluation

Examinations are an integral part of the German school system.

In elementary school: short tests, assessments of learning objectives, observations. In secondary school: classwork, quizzes, oral presentations, presentations. In secondary school: written exams, term papers, presentations, Abitur exams.

Weightage: In many federal states, approximately two-thirds of the exam is written, one-third is oral.

Example: In a 9th-grade class, we conducted "exam simulations." After two practice runs, many students said, "Now I know how it works—that takes the pressure off."

Private schools in Germany

Although most of what we have said above is applicable only to the state funded public schools in Germany where education is free, there are also some private schools in Germany where education is not free. Nearly one tenth of all the school going children in Germany go to private schools. Besides International schools and English or Bilingual schools, there are also schools like the Waldorf schools and Montessori schoolswhere education is imparted along special pedagogical principles. 

Provision for children with special needs

Germany offers comprehensive support for children with disabilities, encompassing early intervention, medical care, therapeutic services, and financial assistance. Care options include inclusive daycare and integrative schools for social integration, as well as residential care facilities for those with severe needs. Specially trained educators and facilitators work with these children. Parents receive advice, support groups, and temporary care services, with social welfare offices and insurance funds covering many costs, such as assistive devices and nursing. 

Conclusion

The German school system combines great strengths with challenges that should not be underestimated.

Compulsory schooling and free access to education form a strong foundation that cannot be taken for granted in many parts of the world. The diversity of school types and profiles, such as those we experience in Hamburg, offers young people the opportunity to develop their individual talents and to specifically pursue different interests.

At the same time, everyday life shows that equal opportunities are a goal we have not yet fully achieved. Differences in family support, resources, or language skills can significantly influence educational success.

It remains particularly important that schools not only impart knowledge, but are places of togetherness – spaces where team spirit, creativity, and critical thinking can thrive. To achieve this, we need sufficient staff, modern equipment, and flexible concepts that respond to societal changes. I see the potential to achieve great things in every child – and consider it our shared responsibility to create a school system that recognizes, fosters, and freely develops this potential.

In summary, the German school system is a solid foundation that offers children many opportunities – if we manage to provide individual support and leave no one behind. It thrives on the little moments: from the beaming face when a child reads a difficult word for the first time to the sigh of relief after passing an exam.

Addenda:

Although it does not have strictly to do with the school system, we will do well here to mention the fact that most parents with minor children receive Kindergeld which is a German child benefit payment designed to financially support families with children. It's a monthly sum paid to all families, regardless of their income, to help cover the costs of raising children. The benefit is typically paid for children up to the age of 18, but can be extended to 21 or 25 under specific circumstances, such as if the child is unemployed or in vocational training. These monthly payments are quite generous and is currently more than 250 euros per child per month.