Educational System of Germany

Generally the education system of Germany is to be applauded and it has always been known for the good quality of higher education. Irrespective of the nationality, focus on quality education has been a top priority. Public universities of Germany providing free education to all students including international students. Universities only collecting administration fee at very low cost. Everyone is equally treated by German Government when it comes to education and jobs. But learning German is kind of must but that's expected when you are in Germany.

The entire educational system of Germany is basically a three tire system that divides students into three different tracks. It involves General secondary school or Hauptschule (grades 5-10), The intermediate secondary school or Realschule (grade 5-10) and The academic high school or Gymnasium ( grades 5-12 or 13). The children are assessed by their teachers who decide which school best suits a particular student based on their performance.

Pre-school Education (Kindergarten), before the period of compulsory schooling begins children aged 3 to 6 can attend preschool institutions. Unlike schools, preschool education is not free and attendance at kindergarten is voluntary one.

Primary level (Grundschule) Normally, schooling for all children begins at the age of six in the first year of a Grundschule. Children attend the Grundschule for four years. After which they transfer to one of four different types of secondary school.In Grundschule teachers recommend their students to a particular school based on the special criteria such as academic achievement, potential, confidence, personality, ability to work independently and so on. However,in most states the parents has the final say as to which school their child will track to following the fourth grade, and some parents go against teacher's recommendation because they believe higher level tracks of education for their children's future.     

Gymnasium is the most sought after or preferred school. The dream of every parent for their kids to be selected for Gymnasium.  Don't be fooled by the common word "Gymnasium" in English and German. Gymnasium has nothing to do with physical education.It is a college preparatory high school which is attended by students from grade to 5 to 12 or 13. Yes! of course 13 grade does exist here. Only few students are picked up for Gymanisum, who continue through the final grades. The mandatory requirement for the Gymnasiasten is to take a rather challenging exam known as Abitur in order to secure their diplomas. This diploma paves their way to university.

Hauptschule is primarily a remedial education. Hauptschüler leave school after the ninth standard, mostly such students don't receive a diploma and thus end up taking menial job.

Realschule sees the influx of more average students. Realschüler also take an Abschluss or term end exam before they leave school after 10th grade, after which they begin apprenticeships in different fields. The brighter ones may also get transferred to Gymnasium to finish their studies.

Gesamtschule or Comprehensive schools, enroll students of all ability levels in the 5th through the 10th grades. Students who satisfactorily complete the Gesamtschule through 9th grade receive the Hauptschule certificate, while those who satisfactorily complete schooling through the 10th grade receive the Realschule certificate. 

Berufsschule is an upper secondary school form which students may enter to pursue part time academic study combined with apprenticeship, following the successful completion of either Hauptschule or Realschule . The successful completion of apprenticeship program leads to certification in a particular trade or field of work. 

This is the pattern in which the entire German school system operates, obviously it differing in each state.

According to me this complex three tier school system is sentencing many many brilliant children to a life of uttermost frustration, and a future of obscurity. I think fourth standard is not an age to judge the true talent of a child.Its hard to imagine, but this is how the whole schooling structure is built up here. So according to their intelligence, they are filtered out and shown direct educational tracks that best suit their caliber. I am wondering that how can a teacher judge a child as young. There are many children who show their real talent at later age. So if any child couldn't perform well for some reason in the given slot of time, then they would be deprived of Gymnasium and thus their future options are brutally narrowed down. There could be decent reasons for the lack of performance of a child, they might be very intelligent in real life, what if they got nervous during their examinations? That means they has no chance of getting into a good school. Educational Pragmatism can solve many problems in this context. 

Qualitative education is a tool which can use by all Countries to create a Good Citizen. !