What do I have to know about the educational system in Germany?

In Germany, education is an important attribute to get social appreciation. Therefore the gain of knowledge starts from an early age and it is considered as a basis for training or study in order to have a good job later.

Infants have a right of a nursery place from the age of one and small children from the age of three are entitled for a place at a preschool. These institutions mainly teach how to behave in social interaction through the contact with other children. The costs of daycare are covered by the community if you apply for that.

If your child is older than six years it has to visit a school in Germany. The school is free of charge but registration is mandatory and can be punished with a penalty if you should not fulfill this obligation. Your refugee social workers will support you with the application.

The school system in Germany is divided into several stages, depending on age. The division may differ from state to state. Basically there is a distinction between comprehensive School, secondary school and high school. While the secondary school diploma which you will receive after nine or ten years of school enable you to start a practical career a high school, which is acquired after 12 or 13 years, is a prerequisite for study.

Something special is the German education system. Here young people learn a profession in the context of a training of about three years. That works on the dual principle, which means that the theory is taught at school and practical experience are learned in a training business. After mentor mentee - principle inexperienced staff learn from experienced staff. Currently the German economy searches more and more for so-called apprentices who want to learn a profession in Germany.