What's the Education situation like in Germany?

[orange]

Was recently talking to a guy who claims that German unemployment is skyrocketing due to free college tuition, especially in southern Germany. He says that students are staying in college for 10 years, can't get any degrees, and can't find work when they get out.

I'm hesistant about his credibility. Can any regional experts comment on what secondary and postgraduate education is like in Germany, as well as Unemployment?

[Bereta_Eder]

Seeing as our education system derived from the German model, I'd say that's pretty accurate.

[DinoDoc]

If you can get someone with a subscription to the Economist to post this article, it might help you with your question.

[orange]

yes, that would be good.

Do you have any background in this area, DD?

[DinoDoc]

Originally posted by orange
well, do you, DD? I'd really appreciate it.

If I did, I would have posted it. Try PMing DanS.

[orange]

yeah, just realized that, so I edited my post

[orange]

it seems DanS doesn't have a subscription

[Paul Hanson]

One of my housemates subscribes, but he's not in at the moment. If you've still not found anyone by then, I'll try asking him.

[orange]

would appreciate it, Paul. But if you can't you can't, totally understandable.

Don't we have any Krauts who can comment?

[Gangerolf]

He says that students are staying in college for 10 years, can't get any degrees, and can't find work when they get out.

I would think that they stay in college because there are no jobs. It's more fun to study than to be on the dol.

[BeBMan]

Well, unemployment is indeed much too high in Germany, but it is certainly not because of free college tuition.

OTOH general opinion here is that our students are studying to long (but 10 years seems very extreme to me), and that may indeed have to do with the financial support from the state most students get. This support is limited for a certain period (max. ca. 4,5 years I think), after that you have to work to get the money to continue your studies. And a part of the money has to be paid back when you´ve got a job later.

But, as posted above, this is by no means the main reason for the high unemployment here. If there are people who can´t get a job after university, it is of course related too this high unemployment rate, but it is not the cause. This is simply our messed up economy currently...

To the quality of our edu-system: well, the international PISA (Programme for International Student Assessment - first from 2000) study which tested the quality of many European education systems saw Germany indeed in a very bad position. It caused a big public discussion (which is still going on) in Germany what to do about this, how we should change our school system, etc, etc. but without major results at this time. Part of the problem is that most changes would cost money, which isn´t available that much due to our bad economy.

[orange]

Thank you very much, BeBro. I appreciate your feedback

[Dinner]

France & Germany's high unemployment rates are very simple. To much regulation and tax rates which are to high leads to high unemployment. If anything a well educated work force wouold help attract em-ployer investment (i.e. new factories or offices) unless the taxes to support the education are to much of a burden.

Also no one hires anyone in western Europe unless you absolutely don't have any other option becaue once they're hired your going to be responsible for all sorts of costs both while he works for you plus after you lay him off. If they'd make it easier to fire someone thne they'd find employers would become more willing to hire someone.

[LoneWolf]

Gangerolf hit the nail on the head. Substitute "won't" for "can't" each time it appears.