Multitudes receive certificates in Berlin and Brandenburg's cities
In the 2024/25 school year, Berlin and Brandenburg witnessed a wave of protests and criticism, particularly over new rules for transferring students to secondary schools after the 6th grade.
The school year ended with a significant number of primary school students, approximately every tenth, unable to transfer to their preferred secondary school. This situation led to widespread discontent among parents, teachers, and trade unions.
In Berlin, the protests were not limited to the educational sector. The broader social and political landscape, including anti-pandemic measures, refugee policies, and political actions, also played a role in shaping public opinion and fuelling the protests.
The educational systems in both regions faced challenges such as teacher shortages and inequities in resource allocation among schools. These issues, combined with the new transfer rules, sparked concerns about the quality of education and the impact on students' academic stability.
Meanwhile, in Brandenburg, the school year was also marked by protests against the reduction of teaching positions in the state budget. This further escalated the already tense educational climate.
To address the concerns raised by students and parents, a confidential Helpline service was established. The service, available until 6 PM, offers consultations regarding report card distribution and provides tips and advice on dealing with grades. The Helpline is accessible for all students in Berlin and can be reached at different numbers depending on the school type.
In the 2024/25 school year, a total of approximately 400,000 students in Berlin and 321,000 students in Brandenburg received their report cards before the summer holidays. The report cards were provided by the Berlin Senate Administration for Education and the Ministry of Education in Potsdam, respectively.
As the six-week summer holidays begin (lasting until September 6), it is hoped that the upcoming school year will bring resolutions to the issues that caused the protests and criticisms during the 2024/25 school year. The Helpline service remains available for students and parents seeking support and advice.
In addition, a separate service, "Number against Sorrow," can be reached at 116 111, offering assistance for those in distress. This service, while not directly related to the school transfer issue, underscores the importance of mental health support during challenging times.
- The protests and criticism in Berlin and Brandenburg extended beyond education-and-self-development, as they also encompassed anti-pandemic measures, refugee policies, and political actions, causing a widespread discontent among various sectors of society.
- In an effort to address the concerns about education quality and student academic stability, a general-news worthy move was made by establishing a confidential Helpline service, available for all students in Berlin until 6 PM, offering consultations regarding report card distribution and tips on dealing with grades.
