Question 34
Why does the state control the school system in Germany?
German original: Warum kontrolliert der Staat in Deutschland das Schulwesen?. In the test, all questions are asked in German.
Answer options
- because there are only state schools in Germany
- because all female and male pupils must have a school leaving certificate
- because there are different schools in the federal states
- because according to the Basic Law it is its responsibility — Correct answer
Explanation
The state oversees the school system because Art. 7 of the Basic Law establishes it as a state responsibility. School supervision is meant to guarantee equal educational opportunities for all children.
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.
- State — A state is an organized community with a defined territory, a population, and a government that creates and enforces laws.
- 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.
- controlled / monitored — Something that is watched over or checked to make sure everything is working correctly and according to the rules.
- German — German is the official language of Germany, Austria, and part of Switzerland. It is the native language of approximately 100 million people.
- school system — The school system encompasses all schools, school types, and regulations for education in a country or region. In Germany, the school system is managed by each individual federal state.