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A "Hauptschule" (German: general school) is a German secondary school, starting after 4 years of elementary schooling. Any student who went to a German elementary school can go to a Hauptschule afterwards, whereas students who want to attend a Realschule or Gymnasium need to have good marks in order to do so. Children spend five years at the Hauptschule, from 5th to 9th (10th) grade.
Basics
The main aim of the Hauptschule is to prepare young students for life and focus on practical matters, in contrast to the Gymnasium which concentrates on the more academic topics and wants to prepare its students for going to the university afterwards. As a result, the classes in the Hauptschule concentrate on the basics in mathematics, physics/chemistry, biology, geography, history, introduction to the world of work (Arbeitslehre), religion (or a substitute subject), music, art, politics, sports and language. From the first year of Hauptschule, all children learn English (sometimes French) and German. Once students have obtained their leaving certificate at the age of 15/16, they can go into practical vocational training, start work in the public service at basic or secretarial level, or attend a Berufsfachschule (full-time vocational school). The jobs for which they apply consequently do require practical skills rather than academic knowledge. They also can qualify for further education in a Realschule or Gymnasium if their marks are good enough.
Problems
Many Hauptschulen nowadays have problems with drugs and violence, much more than Gymnasien or even Realschulen. This applies in particular, but is not limited to schools in eastern Germany.
Hauptschule students have come to be increasingly stigmatized in German culture over the last years, the opinion of the general public often being that Hauptschulen only harbor the bottom end of society. Images of dysfunctional family backgrounds, absent and/or unemployed parents and domestic violence and alcohol abuse are often cited when describing what is believed to be the typical social origin of these students. Teachers often complain about ongoing difficulties in trying to properly educate them and parents refusing to take responsibility. Moreover, and based on these problems, it has become very hard for Hauptschule graduates to find qualified work or begin an apprenticeship, even in professions which traditionally welcomed them and have now shifted their focus to better qualified applicants, e.g. mechanics, construction or sales. In some areas, an overwhelming majority of each graduating class is therefore forced to accept low-paying unskilled labor or live on welfare indefinitely; many choose to stay in school for another year to obtain their Realschule diploma, which slightly, but not fundamentally, improves their career prospects.
History
Hauptschulen were first introduced in West Germany in 1950 and enrolling 65 to 70 percent of the student population and are now a part of secondary education in Germany, the others being the Gymnasium and the Realschule.
"Hauptschule"