Bildung: 20-Jahres-Hoch bei Schulabgängern ohne Abschluss

Recent studies, including Pisa, have shown a decline in German school performance for years. This trend is evident in the number of high school graduates without at least a Hauptschulabschluss. According to the Federal Statistical Office, this figure reached its highest level in over 20 years at 8.4 percent in the 2024/2025 school year.

The highest previous rate was 8.9 percent in 2002/2003. In absolute numbers, 65,000 students left school without a diploma in the 2024/2025 school year, up from 62,000 the previous year and 56,000 the year before. This represents around 770,000 to 800,000 graduates in total. The comparison shows that ten years ago, in the 2014/2015 school year, the rate was 5.6 percent.

The Federal Ministry of Education expressed concern, stating that these figures should alarm them. They mentioned political countermeasures like the Startchancen-Programme, which provide extra support to schools with many children facing learning difficulties and from poorer families. A trend reversal in education is also supposed to be initiated by a new Kindergarten Act, which was first discussed by the Bundestag.

Early childhood education is seen as a "decisive lever" by Prien, who calls for universal language tests in kindergartens for four-year-olds. Mathematical and social skills are also to be assessed to provide targeted support if needed before children enter school. Federal Education Minister Karin Prien (CDU) called this a "decisive lever," stating that if children do not learn the German language by the time they start school, they will face significant difficulties in the education system.

The German Teachers' Union also sees language problems as a cause. "Who does not master the language often loses the thread in school; who does not see a prospect loses motivation," said Verbandspräsident Stefan Düll. Language promotion, school social work, and strong networks with non-school partners should therefore become building blocks of an expanded Startchancen-Programme.

The Greens criticized the financing, however, as it seemed insufficient to them. For the plans to work, additional personnel would also be needed. Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz had promised a major effort for education, but he should not cut costs in the wrong place, Merz said.