Portal de Periódicos da CAPES

The Schools of West Germany

1962; The Japan Society Of Educational Sociology; Volume: 35; Issue: 6 Linguagem: Inglês

10.2307/2264337

2326-4055

Theodore Huebener,

Education Methods and Technologies

All German children attend a basic (Grundschule) for four years, beginning at the age of six. The kindergarten is not officially a part of the system. A child who drops behind during the first two years in elementary is transferred to a help school (Hilfsschule). At the age of ten an even severer sifting takes place. The very brightest enter the Gymnasium, the second brightest go to the (Mittelschule), and the least endowed continue in the upper grades of the elementary (Volksschule). The Gymnasim, the traditional secondary school, provides a nineyear course. It is of three types: the humanistic, the modern language and the mathematics-science Gymnasium. In the first, whose aim is the transmission of the European cultural heritage, Latin is taken for nine years and Greek for six. The modern language Gymnasium offers English, French and Latin. In the mathematics-science Gymnasium these subjects are stressed. All subjects are required: the pupil has a choice only of a first and a second language. At the end of the course, in the thirteenth year, a searching, comprehensive written and oral examination in four major subjects is given. This is the Abitur or leaving examination. Passing it entitles the graduate to admission to any German university. It is also the badge of scholarly and social standing, giving its holder access to better positions in industry and in civil service. Despite the fact that the Gymnasium accepts only the brightest pupils, the standards for graduation are so high that less than forty-five percent of the original entrants get to the Abitur. A student carries twelve to fourteen subjects; if he fails in two, he has to repeat the entire year's work. A considerable number of students leave the Gymnasium in the tenth class with the certificate of middle maturity. (Mittlere Reife). Since this is the certificate given at the end of the Middle School, pupils not planning to go as far as the Abitur are guided into the Mittelschule. There are some opportunities for the brighter student or late bloomer to transfer to the Gymnasium later on, but he is obliged to take an entrance examination. The Middle School is, in general, a six-year school. The pupils who continue in the elementary for another four years graduate at the age of fourteen. They may then continue at a vocational school. Generally, however, they enter business or industry.