Question 5
Who determines school policy in Germany?
German original: Wer bestimmt in Deutschland die Schulpolitik?. In the test, all questions are asked in German.
Answer options
- the teachers
- the federal states — Correct answer
- the family ministry
- the universities
Explanation
Education policy in Germany is the responsibility of each federal state (Bundesland). This is called cultural sovereignty (Kulturhoheit). Each state has its own curricula, school types, and examination regulations. The federal government has only limited say in this area.
Key terms in this question
- Germany — Germany is a country in central Europe with a parliamentary democracy. It is a member of the European Union and its capital is Berlin.
- Federal state — A federal state is one of the 16 regions that together form Germany. Each state has its own government, parliament, and areas of responsibility.
- politics — Politics includes all decisions and measures that regulate how people live together in a state or community. Politicians and citizens work together to shape the rules and laws of a society.
- determined / specified — Something that is fixed or clearly defined. It can also describe someone who acts with confidence and resolve.
- German — German is the official language of Germany, Austria, and part of Switzerland. It is the native language of approximately 100 million people.
- education policy — Education policy includes all government decisions and regulations concerning the school system, such as curricula, school types, and teaching conditions. In Germany, education policy is the responsibility of the individual federal states.