Compulsory schooling Germany - how did it come about?

In Germany, compulsory education (Schulpflicht) is a statutory right and duty for all children and young people. It is laid down in Section 2 of the Basic Law for the Federal Republic of Germany and states that every child and young person must receive an education. Compulsory education was introduced in Germany in the 19th century and has been reformed and adapted several times since then. The aim of compulsory education is to give all children and young people in Germany equal educational opportunities and to provide them with a solid foundation for their future lives and careers.

What exactly does compulsory education mean?

Compulsory education means that all children and young people in Germany are obliged to receive a school education. This schooling must include at least primary education, which is compulsory for all children between the ages of 6 and 10. After primary education, students may attend various secondary schools, such as Hauptschule, Realschule or Gymnasium. Compulsory schooling applies to all children and young people whose main place of residence is in Germany and usually lasts until the end of the general education period, i.e. until the age of 18. However, compulsory schooling can also end earlier if a student starts vocational training or takes the Abitur, for example.

Full-time compulsory education and compulsory vocational education - the differences

Full-time compulsory education and compulsory vocational education are two different forms of compulsory education that apply in Germany. Full-time compulsory education refers to the obligation to attend a general education school and to understand and learn the subject matter taught there. This form of compulsory schooling applies to all children and young people between the ages of 6 and 18 who have their main place of residence in Germany.

Compulsory vocational schooling, on the other hand, refers to the obligation to attend a vocational school during vocational training if one begins vocational training. Compulsory vocational schooling applies to all young people between the ages of 15 and 18 who begin vocational training in Germany. Compulsory vocational schooling usually lasts three years and is designed to prepare students for their future careers.

At what age does compulsory education begin in Germany?

In Germany, compulsory schooling begins at the age of 6. This means that all children between the ages of 6 and 10 are required to attend elementary school and learn the subjects taught there. Compulsory education was introduced in the 19th century and aims to give all children and young people in Germany the same educational opportunities.

Compulsory education is intended to ensure that all children in Germany have the opportunity to receive a solid school education and thus qualify themselves for their future lives and careers.

Rights and obligations regarding compulsory education

Compulsory education in Germany is enshrined in law and includes both rights and obligations for students, parents and schools. Pupils' rights include the right to education and the opportunity to attend a general education school and learn the subjects taught there. Pupils' duties include the obligation to attend school regularly and punctually, and to understand and apply the subject matter taught there.

School Enrollment Obligation

Parents have the right to choose a school for their child and to participate in school enrollment and choice. Their responsibilities include the duty to enroll their child on time and to ensure that he or she attends school regularly and on time.

School Choice

Schools have the right to monitor students' performance and behavior and provide support and encouragement as needed. Their duties include the obligation to provide students with a good technical and educational education and to provide them with a good school education.

Duty of Attendance

Compulsory attendance at schools is a component of compulsory education in Germany. Compulsory school attendance includes not only the duty to receive a school education, but also the duty to attend school regularly and punctually and to participate in the classes held there. Accordingly, attendance at classes is compulsory during compulsory schooling (Unterrichtspflicht).

Enforcement

In Germany, the enforcement of compulsory education is the responsibility of the school authorities and the competent agencies of the public administration. They are responsible for ensuring that all children and young people in Germany comply with their compulsory education and receive a school education. If a pupil fails to comply with the obligation to attend school, the school authorities and the relevant public administration bodies can take various measures to enforce the obligation to attend school. These include, for example, educational measures, school support measures or penal sanctions.

Compulsory schooling duration: how long is compulsory schooling?

The duration of compulsory education is 9 years. This means full-time compulsory schooling, of which at least 5 years must be completed in a secondary school. If a diploma is not obtained during this time, compulsory education can be extended for another year. Compulsory schooling ends at the end of the school term in which one turns 18 - Regardless of whether one has successfully completed the school career or not.

Compulsory schooling = compulsory schooling?

Compulsory schooling in Germany is not compulsory, but a legal obligation to ensure the right to education for all children and young people. This means that while students are obligated to receive an education, they cannot be forced to attend a particular school or achieve a particular level of schooling.

If a pupil fails to comply with compulsory education in Germany, the school authorities and the relevant public administration bodies may take various measures to enforce compulsory education. These include, for example, educational measures, school support measures or criminal sanctions. In particularly serious cases, where a pupil deliberately fails to comply with compulsory education despite the best efforts of the school authorities and the relevant public administration bodies, fines or even imprisonment may be imposed. However, the amount of fines and imprisonment varies from case to case and depends on the circumstances of the individual case. As a rule, however, educational measures and school support measures are preferred in order to help students who do not comply with compulsory education and to give them the opportunity to successfully fulfill their compulsory education.

Violation of compulsory education - is there a penalty?

A violation of compulsory education in Germany can have criminal consequences under certain circumstances. If a student fails to comply with compulsory education and is unwilling to fulfill his or her compulsory education despite the best efforts of the school authorities and the relevant public administration bodies, fines or even imprisonment may be imposed.

However, as a rule, educational measures/means of education and school support measures are preferred in order to help students who do not comply with compulsory education and give them the opportunity to successfully fulfill their compulsory education. The exact conditions and regulations for criminal sanctions for violations of compulsory education are set out in the Criminal Code and in the school laws of the individual federal states.

In which countries is there no compulsory education?

In some countries, there is no compulsory schooling by law, which means that children and young people there are not required to receive an education. In such countries, however, education is still usually voluntary, and many children and young people voluntarily attend school to educate themselves and gain qualifications for their future careers. In which countries there is no compulsory education, however, varies from case to case and depends on various factors such as education policy, economic development and the social structure of the country. Some examples of countries without compulsory education are, for example, the USA, Canada, Australia and also New Zealand.

How long has compulsory education been in place in Germany?

In Germany, compulsory education has existed since the 19th century (for over 200 years). However, the exact date of introduction of compulsory education varies from state to state and depends on the education policy and the development of schooling in the respective state. In some states, compulsory schooling was introduced as early as the 19th century, while in others it was not introduced until the 20th century. Compulsory education in Germany has been reformed and adapted several times and today applies to all children and young people between the ages of 6 and 18 who have their main residence in the Federal Republic. The aim of compulsory education is to give all children and young people in Germany the same educational opportunities and to provide them with a solid foundation for their future lives and careers.

In Bavaria, since August 1, 2010, all children who turn six by September 30 are required to attend school. Compulsory schooling is enshrined in Article 35 of the Bavarian Education Act (BayEUG).

Compulsory schooling in Bavaria - how long?

Compulsory schooling lasts twelve years. It is divided into full-time compulsory education (9 years) and compulsory vocational education (3 years). Voluntary attendance of secondary school or exemption from attending vocational school can change the duration.

Are there any exceptions for compulsory education?

Yes, there are some exceptions to compulsory education in Germany. In principle, compulsory schooling applies to all children and young people between the ages of 6 and 18 who have their main residence in Germany. However, there are some exceptions to this rule where compulsory schooling is waived or shortened. For example, compulsory schooling is not required if a student has reached the age of 18 and begins vocational training or takes the Abitur.

Children and young people with physical, mental or psychological disabilities (up to the point of inability to attend school) can also be exempted from compulsory schooling if they are unable to attend a general school due to their disabilities. In such cases, they may instead attend another type of school that is adapted to their needs. The exact conditions and regulations for exemptions from compulsory schooling and toleration of absence from school are laid down in the Basic Law and in the school laws of the individual federal states.