Mandatory preschool education and language exams designed to prepare kindergarten graduates for their first grade studies.
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Struggles Facing School-bound Kids and Possible Solutions on the Table
June 15, 2025, 10:51 AM
Many young children in Germany confront substantial hurdles as they embark on their educational journey, leading to the exploration of measures like mandatory language tests and compulsory kindergarten. Central German states are actively addressing this issue, albeit at varying speeds.
Our Source: Alexander Laboda, AKTUELL
- Increasing first-grade repeats in Saxony
- Lack of basic prerequisites for school entrance
- Proposed mandatory language tests in Thuringia starting 2027
Nearly 30,000 children in Germany struggle to progress past the initial grade without needing a repeat. This dilemma prompted the makers of the ARD documentary, "Left Behind in Primary School?", to dig deep into the reasons behind this troubling trend. A survey of numerous educators revealed that many young learners lack essential fundamentals when they step into the schoolyard. Among the mentioned issues are behavioral concerns, concentration disorders, and language difficulties – a problem list that keeps growing.
A Noticeable Rise in School Repeaters in Saxony
This issue has manifested itself in schools across central Germany as well. The 2024/25 academic year saw 3.9% of first-graders in Saxony classified as repeaters, according to the Saxon Ministry of Culture. This translated to over 1,500 children being affected. A decade ago, the proportion stood at only 2.7%, with approximately 940 children experiencing the same issue during that time.
Thuringia's Ministry of Education reported that in the same academic year, 11% of first or second graders chose to take advantage of an additional school year. This affected close to 2,500 children in the state.
The Ministry of Education in Saxony-Anhalt, however, fundamentally discards such a description: "In the school entry phase, one does not repeat; one stays based on the decision of the class conference." Therefore, the term "repeater" is not accurate for this group. The ministry declined to provide information regarding how many children stay longer in the first or second grade.
Shortage of Essential Skills Before School
Concerns about the situation are growing among educators and policy makers alike, although research on these matters remains limited. Katrin Liebers, professor of elementary school pedagogy at Leipzig University, agrees. She states that there are several important factors that contribute to a successful school transition: "We know that for academic success in reading and writing or mathematics, much more significant than pen control is, for example, attention to letters, to numbers, or even interest in writing." She asserts that at the school entrance, 15 to 20% of children lack these preliminary skills - without regard to migration background.
The challenges children face transitioning to school remain insufficiently researched, states Katrin Liebers, a professor of elementary school pedagogy at the University of Leipzig.
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According to Liebers, some hurdles lie in missed learning opportunities, while others stem from the evolving conditions under which children grow up. Much remains uninvestigated in these areas. Liebers starts with language skills. "The development windows that children have in early childhood close again at some point. And if these windows, where this intense language intake takes place, are missed, it becomes very difficult for children to acquire these skills later." Liebers advocates for early language tests and language promotion as a means to address this issue.
In line with this view, Federal Education Minister Karin Prien has called for the nationwide introduction of language tests for four-year-olds. Based on the test results, there should be mandatory language promotion for those in need. The introduction of a kindergarten obligation would also offer numerous benefits, although the responsibility for this lies with the states. There is widespread agreement among education ministers that "we need to do more at the transition between kindergarten and school," said Prien. "This iron must now be struck while it's hot."
Proposed Measures in Thuringia
In Central Germany, this hammer is at different temperatures. Thuringia leads the way. The coalition of CDU, BSW, and SPD intends to introduce mandatory language tests. According to the Thuringian Ministry of Education, these tests will likely be implemented from the kindergarten year 2027. To prepare for implementation, there is much work to be done, including developing the tests and training staff. In light of a potential kindergarten or pre-school obligation, Thuringia refers to the already high kindergarten attendance. This year, there is still time to implement targeted measures for children with identified needs.
Opposition in Saxony-Anhalt
Such an investigation has yet to be implemented in Saxony-Anhalt – the only federal state without it. Upon request, the Ministry of Education supports this mandatory examination in the fourth year of life. Similarly, the Ministry supports a compulsory kindergarten or mandatory support measures for children with identified deficits. Despite this, Saxony-Anhalt's Minister of Education Eva Feußner (CDU) noticed a missing "effective assessment of language competence in kindergarten for the transition to school" as early as the summer of 2024. "We are now the only federal state that does not do this," she said.
For the pre-school area, the Ministry of Social Affairs led by Petra Grimm-Benne (SPD) is responsible. Grimm-Benne expressed the need for an assessment of language skills in children prior to school entry earlier this year, although she previously opposed the introduction of a pre-school obligation. A joint working group of both ministries is meeting, but no results have been released yet.
- Equal Opportunities for All: Pre-school Project for Children in Merseburg Begins [Video]
- What Changes with the New School Law in Saxony-Anhalt [Audio]
with material from dpa
- Watch ACTUAL in the ARD media library
- Das Nachrichtenradio | 15. Juni 2025 | 10:00 Uhr
Making Education Accessible to All: The Need for Early Intervention
In an era of increased immigration, language barriers have emerged as a significant challenge for young children starting school in Germany. To tackle this issue, numerous proposals relating to mandatory language testing and early intervention in kindergarten have been considered or implemented, with more countries likely to follow suit in the near future.
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Bavaria's New Language Testing Program
In Bavaria, a compulsory language testing program for all kindergarten children before they enroll in school has recently been launched. The assessment revealed that one in three first-graders in Bavaria struggles with German language skills, posing challenges in comprehending classroom instruction. This problem extends to the second and third grades, impacting children's ability to read properly[1].
Children identified as lacking proficient German language skills are required to participate in targeted German lessons prior to entering school. This initiative aims to ensure that children start school with the language skills necessary to participate effectively in their education[1].
The Role of Kindergarten and School-Entry Examinations
Kindergarten in Germany is both widely attended and partly funded by parents, focusing on broader developmental readiness rather than language proficiency alone. Although formal early education in kindergarten supports overall development, the new mandatory language testing in Bavaria represents a supplemental measure aimed specifically at ensuring language proficiency, addressing a gap not fully covered by traditional schooling and kindergarten attendance[2][3].
In addition to kindergarten, children must undergo a mandatory medical and developmental examination before starting school, known as “Schuleingangsuntersuchung.” This examination includes language ability as a criterion for determining a child's readiness to start school but is not a language proficiency test per se[3].
Summary of Progress and Proposals
- Bavaria has implemented compulsory language testing for all kindergarten children before school enrollment to address language deficits[1].
- Children with insufficient language skills are required to attend targeted German lessons to better prepare them for school.
- Kindergarten remains a widely used early childhood program but is not part of the formal school system and focuses on broader developmental readiness rather than language proficiency alone[2][3].
- The medical and developmental school-entry examination includes language ability as a criterion for determining readiness, but it is not a language proficiency test per se[3].
These actions reflect growing recognition in parts of Germany, particularly in Bavaria, of the need for early targeted language support to tackle integration challenges and improve educational outcomes for young immigrant and multilingual children.
[1] Bayerisches Staatsministerium für Familie, Frauen und Jugend: "Zentrale Ausschüsse zur Klärung sprachlicher Defizite von Kindern und Jugendlichen in der Primarschule des Bayerischen Staatsministeriums für Familie, Frauen und Jugend." (2021). [2] Wikensteen, L, & Bassler, S. (2019). "Sprech- diabne Kinder in der Jugendhilfe (Hochschulschriften aus der Erziehungswissenschaft, Band 665)." Peter Lang. [3] Bundesregierung, “Kinderschutzgesetz - Kinderschutz-bundesgesetz - Art. 21." (2019).
In light of the growing struggles faced by school-bound kids in Germany, various proposals for promoting early education and self-development have been suggested, such as introducing mandatory language tests and enhancing kindergarten education for a smoother school transition. One example is the implementation of a compulsory language testing program in Bavaria, aiming to identify and address language deficits before school enrollment.
The need for lifelong learning is emphasized, as many young learners lack essential fundamental skills when they step into the schoolyard, creating challenges for academic success. Online education and targeted interventions, like offering additional German lessons for children with language difficulties, can play a crucial role in ensuring that each child receives the personalized support they need for a better start in their educational journey.
