The manner in which schools function in Germany is as follows.
Germany's secondary education system is structured around three main types of schools: Gymnasium, Realschule, and Hauptschule, each offering different educational and vocational pathways.
After completing four years of primary school (Grundschule) from ages 6 to 10, students are recommended to a secondary school type based on academic performance and aptitude.
Hauptschule, attended by about 40% of students, focuses on practical and vocational skills. It offers education up to grade 9 or 10, with graduates often entering apprenticeships or part-time vocational schools.
Realschule, which accounts for about 25% of students, combines academic and vocational elements. It leads to mid-level vocational training or technical schools preparing for various commercial, technical, or administrative careers.
The most advanced secondary school is the Gymnasium, attended by about 25% of students. It provides an academic curriculum culminating typically after grade 12 or 13 with the Abitur, a qualification for university entrance.
A Gesamtschule also exists, combining aspects of Hauptschule, Realschule, and Gymnasium in a comprehensive school format.
The duration of schooling before vocational training or further education is nine or ten years. In most federal states, children move on to secondary school after four years, but in Berlin and Brandenburg, it's after six years.
The Abitur requires passing final upper secondary exams after completing Gymnasium. This qualification grants access to university studies. Vocational education is highly developed and closely linked with industries, often involving apprenticeships alongside schooling, especially following Hauptschule or Realschule.
Teacher education for Gymnasium involves university studies in relevant subjects and educational sciences, followed by practical training and state exams.
Thus, the German system offers multiple pathways: an academically oriented track through Gymnasium and Abitur for university study, alongside diverse vocational training options connected to the Realschule and Hauptschule pathways. The system emphasizes permeability, allowing student movement between school types under certain conditions.
It's worth noting that all children in Germany attend primary school. The type of secondary school a child attends is decided by parents and teachers.
[1] German Education System [2] German Education System Explained [3] German Teacher Education [4] German University Studies [5] Vocational Education in Germany
