German Education (15 pages)
The German Universities today find their origins in the monasteries and churches of the Middle Ages. Access to these schools was limited to nobility and those being trained for the clergy. Today access is much more open but over the years as more and more people were able to enter the university more problems arose. Many in Germany are looking for ways to solve problems in higher education and there are solutions to some of them that have been suggested, but must be agreed upon. Among the most important problems are, overcrowded schools, majority of teachers retiring, less opportunity for female students and staff, dropouts, length of study, and controversy over the Abitur (which is needed in order to be eligible for higher education. This paper will briefly touch on the structure of the higher education system, highlight the problems facing higher education, and shed light on the paths to reform that have been discussed by others. Institutions of higher education include Universities, technical universities, colleges of education for teacher training, colleges of art and music, Fachhochschulen (for higher professional training), Gesamthochschulen (amalgamated universities), distance learning unive
In the GDR, universities lost their autonomy. The government controlled examinations, course length, and curriculum. The Communist Party had substantial influence in education. About 70% of teachers, administrators, and other staff members belonged to the Communist Party (Germany: A Country Study, 238). Also the majority of students belonged to the Communist Youth Organization. Both socialist and academic councils were appointed to support the Rector (who was the chief administrator of the university). The councils were advisory and dominated by party members and members of the Communist Youth Organization. The Science Council has made recommendations that spending be increased for higher education so that more students may be accepted. Since there are more student then facilities can handle there must be an expansion of facilities. This has already been taking place. The result is however campuses spread out all across cities. Universities are nothing like the campuses in the United States and there is not the same kind of union of students on campus like there is on the contained campuses of the US. Before 1995, financial assistance was interest free, but that year the federal government decided to change this. Now regular interest rates are added to loans. Equality of opportunity is a very sensitive issue in Germany. If there are changes in assistance then students from lower income families don't have an equal opportunity to enter into higher education. Student leaders now fear that a new type of assistance will lead to admissions restrictions by social class. This would mean that only students with the financial support of their family would be able to enroll (Lingens 46-7). The housing problem is more prevalent in the west where only 10% of students can stay in residence halls compared to the east where 60% are able to stay in the halls. Many students room with each other in nearby apartments. Of course the added expenses must be paid, so many students work and go to school. According to one German Students' Organization, more then two thirds of German students work and go to school at the same time (Hasenkamp, 179). Xinhua News Agency "German Universities Should Have More Students" (March In order to move on to higher education, a student must obtain the Abitur. The Abitur is similar to a diploma in the United States. The most common way to obtain the Abitur is by following the secondary education path that leads to the Gymnasium. There are also other ways for those who did not attend the Gymnasium to obtain the Abitur. Students may pass the Abitur in one subject area, which restricts them to that area of study. To lift this restriction they must pass an examination in a foreign language. Those already employed can use the Second Chance Education. They might study at evening schools to prepare for the Abitur. Some states allow highly skilled workers to study in their field of expertise if they can pass an entrance exam (Lingens, 39). free society. Still many administrators and other employees were dismissed or demoted so that by 1995, at the university level, 2/3 of all employees were dismissed either because of their conduct during the Communist regime, their inability to meet western standards, or simply because of budgetary reasons. There is no group of elite universities in Germany as in the United States. Each university must offer all subjects in order to be recognized. There also are no tests that have been developed to rank schools on teaching and research achievements. Schools are thought to all have the same value. Many fear that reform in this area will cause a drop in the quality of these institutions (Germany: A Country Study, 237). As stated earlier, there is a controversy over the usefulness of the Abitur. With the expanding of access to secondary education it has become easier to obtain the Abitur. About 34% of students graduated with the Abitur in 1990, compared to only 11% in
Some common words found in the essay are:
Deutsche Marks, Country Study, Law Education, Ages Access, Science Council, University Munster, Organization Government, Compare France, West Germany, Chance Education, country study, germany country study, germany country, federal government, education system, private universities, deutsche marks, education students, obtain abitur, german universities, financial assistance, country study 237, german education system, deutsche marks students, former west germany,
Approximate Word count = 4306
Approximate Pages = 17 (250 words per page double spaced)
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