In Germany there is compulsory education, which is not regulated on a nationwide basis, but rather by the respective federal state.
Compulsory education is divided into full-time compulsory education and compulsory vocational education. Compulsory education applies across the Länder until pupils reach the age of majority. Full-time compulsory education is divided into primary (Grundschule) and lower secondary education. It covers a period of nine years in Saxony-Anhalt. Following this, the following school-leaving qualifications can be obtained:
- school-leaving qualification qualifying pupils for work in a profession and/or the entrance qualification for studies at universities of applied sciences by attending vocational schools [Fachhochschulreife],
- General higher education entrance qualification (Abitur) by attending the gymnasiale Oberstufe (upper secondary school level)
Immigrants who are subject to compulsory education attend mainstream schools and also take advantage of language support if necessary. If school attendance is no longer compulsory, the dual training system and the so-called second educational pathway offer the opportunity to catch up on school-leaving qualifications.
Possible school-leaving qualifications are:
- Secondary school leaving certificate and qualified secondary school leaving certificate [Hauptschulabschluss]
- Intermediate school-leaving certificate (Realschulabschluss and comparable school-leaving certificates)
- Advanced technical college entrance qualification [Fachhochschulreife] (general or subject-linked advanced technical college entrance qualification)
- Abitur (general or subject-linked university entrance qualification)
Further information
You can find an overview of which school-leaving certificate can be obtained at which type of school on the website of the Employment Agency at Catching up on school-leaving qualifications - second educational pathway.
An overview of the school system in Germany is provided by a chart on the basic structure of the education system by the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs of the Länder in the Federal Republic of Germany.
The "Loop" project of the St. Johannis Bernburg Protestant Youth Welfare Foundation in Halle (Saale) offers counselling and support in obtaining school-leaving qualifications, especially for young migrants between the ages of 17 and 25.