Education in Germany – Between desire and reality

Good education is considered an important factor for democracy. A shortage of teachers, a lack of educational equality and inadequate career guidance in schools are the biggest challenges.

Germans believe that the education system is one of the most important things for the future of our country and for democracy, but they are also extremely dissatisfied with its state. These are the results of a representative survey on the importance of education in Germany, carried out by the Allensbach Institute for Public Opinion Research on behalf of the Deutsche Telekom Foundation. Around 77 percent of the population say that an excellent education system is particularly important for the future of the country. Only the training of sufficient skilled workers has a higher value, at 79 percent. In the eastern German states, 84 percent of citizens are of the opinion that a good education system ensures good long-term prospects for Germany. In the west, 76 percent say the same. In addition, issues such as affordable housing, an efficient health system and regulated immigration receive high approval ratings.

The overwhelming majority (90 percent) of respondents believe that a good education system is of immense importance for democracy. Accordingly, they agree that education should be on the agenda of those responsible for politics: 94 percent think that the topic should have a very high/high priority in politics. However, citizens doubt that this is the case: 80 percent believe that politicians do not pay enough attention to education issues. “The survey reflects an overall negative view of people on the impact of politics on education,” said Thomas de Maizière, Chairman of the Foundation, commenting on the results. “This strengthens our approach at the Telekom Foundation to enter into a successful dialogue with government agencies in order to achieve improvements in the education system. Together we can achieve more here.”

When asked what a good education system should achieve, people are very clear in their opinion: 91 percent believe that equal educational opportunities must be ensured. The reality hardly matches this wish. Only 25 percent believe that this is currently being achieved in Germany. The survey also clearly shows that those with a high socioeconomic status perceive their own educational career as having a noticeably more positive impact on their life path than those with a lower socioeconomic status. “It is all the more important that we in Germany make even more efforts to ensure that all children and young people have equal educational opportunities,” says foundation director Jacob Chammon.

In some places, the survey reveals differences between East and West. A total of 57 percent see the teaching of MINT skills as essential for an efficient education system. 70 percent of East Germans see it this way, but only 54 percent of West Germans. “We as the MINT Foundation have naturally noted this with particular interest,” said Thomas de Maizière. “The East-West difference can be explained historically. However, the overall value has room for improvement. Fortunately, it shows that we are strategically on the right track because we want to change MINT teaching and learning so that more young people have access to these subjects.”

The pollsters also asked people about performance tests: 67 percent of the population and even 71 percent of parents with school-age children think comparative tests like PISA are good. However, the majority doubt that such studies make schools and teaching better. “The results show a pleasing openness, especially among parents, to collecting data on school and teaching development,” says Jacob Chammon. “In our view, this is a major lever for transforming the school system. The aim now is to show how the individual support of children and young people can be better achieved on the basis of data and even AI applications. This also includes good qualifications and tools for teachers and school management.”