Germans are becoming more educated
As reported by "Russkaya Germaniya", the share of residents of the Federal Republic of Germany with a high school diploma allowing them to study at a university (Abitur) increased from 34% in 2006 to 42% in 2016. Schooling is becoming more diverse: more and more schools offer different paths to the diploma and various options.
The same applies to the opportunities provided by higher education institutions. Over the past twenty years, the number of their graduates has almost doubled: in 2016, about half a million former students received a diploma from a university or institute.
Without a chance for the future
Compared to previous years, the number of those who did not receive any school diploma has also increased: six percent of students left school without one. The increase mainly affected foreign teenagers, reports Bildungsbericht.
The same applies to older people: among those who came to Germany from 2014 to 2016, the share of people without vocational training reaches 56%, which is much higher than the German average (26%). But the number of people with higher education among the newly arrived is also higher on average (23%) than among other residents of Germany (17%).
The rule remains unchanged: if parents have a higher education, their children also study (in 79% of cases). In families where parents have only secondary education, only 24% of children study in higher education. Children from families far from knowledge also remain far from it.
Despite the reduction in the number of unemployed in the country, the number of children statistically at risk of poverty in Germany is increasing. Researchers identify three main risk factors that decisively influence development: families' financial resources, social environment, and the level of parents' professional qualifications. In the biography of every third child in Germany, at least one of these three "aggravating circumstances" is present.
Kindergarten – a path to success
More and more children in Germany attend kindergartens, and they go there earlier: in 2006, only 11.6% of one-year-olds attended nurseries and kindergartens, in 2017 – already 36.6%. Statistics show that those who were sent to kindergarten earlier find reading and arithmetic easier in primary school.
At the same time, there is a shortage of people to educate and teach young children. The authors of the report refer to experts who believe that in the next seven years, the shortage of teachers and educators in the education sector will reach 39,000 workers.
Location matters
Not only is the gap between educated and uneducated residents of Germany widening – regional differences are also increasing. In the east of the country, the offering in the entire education sector – from kindergartens to higher education – is still worse than in the west.
For example, in Saxony, there are on average 5.6 children per kindergarten teacher, while in Baden-Württemberg, she is responsible for only three children. In structurally weak regions of the country, there are 11% fewer primary schools and 26% fewer vocational schools.
Gymnasiums are becoming more popular
The diploma that opens the way to university is becoming more desirable. If in 2006, 30% of primary school students transferred to gymnasiums that offer Abitur, then in 2016 – already 41%. Gymnasium students usually perform better and come from more socially successful families, while teachers of other types of schools increasingly have to deal with a very diverse student body. At the same time, many schools, even those not called gymnasiums, provide a very decent level of education.
The authors of the report recommend restructuring the school education system to achieve uniform comparable standards that will ultimately provide "better education for everyone." The discrepancy and "unfairness" of school diplomas obtained in different German states (their average grade influences the ability to choose a university for about 60% of future students) becomes a subject of public discussion every year during the final exam period.
However, it is obvious that under a federal system with 16 state education ministries, 16 school curricula, various types of schools, restrictions and regulations at the state level, the potential path to unity is extremely difficult and long.
Women are happier
On an emotional level, a high educational level brings German women more than men. According to the "Education Report," 36% of female university graduates are satisfied with life, but only 30% of male graduates. However, factors such as place of residence and income level have a greater impact on the feeling of happiness than the education received.
Getting an education means earning more
Residents of Germany with higher education eat better, are more active, smoke less, and are more likely to vote. They also earn more: a woman with a university degree earns on average 8 euros per hour more than a woman with vocational training. For men, the difference is 9 euros.
At the same time, the issue of gender inequality is more acute for university graduates. The difference in salary levels between men and women with diplomas is higher than without them, and the average hourly wage of a female university graduate reaches 12.90 euros, while that of a male graduate is 16.10 euros.