Germany – the land of free education

While spending another weekend in my hometown of Schweinfurt (in Franconia), I was again faced with the fact that most Germans assume education is free. Well, to them it is, as they never see a bill for educational purposes, or don’t directly see how their taxes are used. This social tradition of supplying people with free education is a laudable idea, but it also has its drawbacks.

As I conversed with my relatives, I mentioned that we had to start building up our oldest child’s college funds as he will graduate from high school in five years. Having attended Frankfurt International School, a private school, he would like to continue this life-style by attending university in another European country like England or Scotland. When I mentioned college fees, this seemed to be a foreign word at our table. We are an expat family and not interested in sending our child to a university in Germany just because it’s free of charge. We were told to take advantage of the free education. To Germans it does not matter which university is attended because under the “no tuition” policy, they are all the same.

While parents in the rest of the world often establish a college fund for their child as of the time of birth, Germans rely on the government to fund their education. As international-minded parents we supply our children with education to give them wings. More traditional-minded Germans, some of whom are even my age, want their children to inherit their house instead. One of my friends said, “Why should I spend money on education? He will inherit the house!” Yet education provides freedom. Having no higher education and a house will tie you down.

Most German parents are also reluctant to hire a tutor if the child is failing in a subject. First they blame the schoolteacher, of course, then they complain about having to spend money on education, and on top of that they expect the tutor to perform a miracle. In most Asian countries, however, students attend cram school and also take private lessons to stay ahead. They receive education so they will not fail.

A teacher’s work in Germany doesn’t really get appreciated– neither from the student body, the parents, nor the general population. Teachers’ services are “free,” and therefore not worth much. Granted, not all teachers are worth their salt. Some are unsuited for the profession, but their status as public officials provides a comfortable and often early retirement package, which even untalented teachers are reluctant to give up.

Teachers in public and private schools in Asia, on the other hand, are held in high esteem. Private education, such as tutoring, is paid very well. The teacher sometimes gets showered with gifts for his or her efforts. Parents appreciate teachers, because they PAY for the education.

Well, if a gift of, let’s say, € 5000 was almost dumped on me, maybe I would find it hard to appreciate too. But if I had to save money and work hard to afford the same service, I would look at the service and service provider differently.

In this respect, Germans are spoiled as education is seen as a by-product. There is very little competitiveness among students, which is just the extreme opposite in Asian students.

Germans need to be better educated about how lucky they have been in the past with regard to tuition fees. They might soon arrive at the end of this free educational ride.

Feel free to comment.