Germany news: School students lag behind in science and math

German Education System Faces Scrutiny as Student Performance Declines A recently leaked report has cast a spotlight on the performance of ...

German Education System Faces Scrutiny as Student Performance Declines A recently leaked report has cast a spotlight on the performance of German students, revealing a concerning trend of declining proficiency in key academic areas. The report, a preview of the "IQB Education Trend 2024," indicates that students are increasingly failing to meet core educational standards and are falling short of minimum benchmarks, particularly in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) subjects.

The findings, obtained by a major German newspaper from unnamed political sources, paint a worrying picture of the current state of education in the country. The Institute for Quality Development in Education (IQB) compiled the comprehensive report, which assessed student performance in crucial subjects such as mathematics, physics, chemistry, and biology at the secondary level. The overall assessment was described as negative, signaling a need for urgent attention and reform.

• Key Findings of the Report:

  • The report highlights a significant decline in the number of students meeting regular educational standards across all four STEM subjects.
  • Alarmingly, the number of students failing to meet minimum standards has increased compared to previous assessments conducted in 2012 and 2018.
  • Specifically, the percentage of ninth-grade students who failed to reach the minimum math standard required for a lower secondary school certificate rose by three percentage points between 2018 and 2024.
  • The situation is even more concerning for the intermediate school certificate, where the number of students failing to meet the minimum math benchmark increased by nearly ten percentage points during the same period.
  • In 2024, almost 9% of ninth graders failed to meet the minimum math standard for the lower secondary level, while a staggering 34% missed the benchmark for the intermediate level.

The leaked report has sparked debate and calls for action within the German education system. Experts are urging policymakers to address the underlying causes of the decline and implement effective strategies to improve student performance in STEM subjects.

Aschaffenburg Nursery Stabbing Case: Trial Begins for Suspect in Deadly Attack

The city of Aschaffenburg is grappling with the emotional weight of a recent tragedy as the trial begins for a man accused of carrying out a deadly knife attack on a group of nursery children. The court proceedings aim to determine whether the suspect can be held criminally responsible for his actions, given concerns about his mental state.

The suspect, a 28-year-old Afghan man, is believed to suffer from mental illness. The Aschaffenburg district court is tasked with evaluating his mental state at the time of the January 22, 2025, attack to determine his legal sanity. Prosecutors, relying on an initial forensic-psychiatric report suggesting insanity, are seeking his permanent confinement in a psychiatric hospital rather than a prison sentence.

• Details of the Horrific Attack:

  • According to investigators, the suspect used a 30-centimeter kitchen knife to attack a group of children in Schöntal Park.
  • The attack resulted in the tragic death of a two-year-old Moroccan boy.
  • A 41-year-old German man who bravely intervened to help was also killed.
  • The attacker allegedly stabbed a two-year-old Syrian girl and a 73-year-old German man, both of whom survived their injuries.
  • A 59-year-old teacher sustained a broken arm during the assault.

Prosecutors have filed multiple charges against the suspect, including murder, attempted murder, manslaughter, attempted manslaughter, threats, and multiple counts of bodily harm. The psychiatric report indicates a "high probability" that he acted while legally insane, rendering him unable to recognize the wrongfulness of his actions due to his mental condition.

The suspect, who had a prior record of assaults, property damage, and resisting officers, fled the scene after the attack. However, he was apprehended near railway tracks approximately 12 minutes after the first emergency call was made. The blood-stained knife used in the attack was recovered nearby.

The trial also encompasses a separate incident that occurred in August 2024 at a refugee shelter in Alzenau. In that incident, the man allegedly strangled and injured a female resident with a knife. Six court sessions are scheduled to address both incidents, with proceedings expected to continue through October 30.

German Chancellor Supports EU Plan to Utilize Frozen Russian Assets for Ukraine

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has voiced strong support for a European Union (EU) plan to leverage frozen Russian assets to provide financial assistance to Ukraine. The proposed plan aims to utilize these assets to support Ukraine's defense efforts and reconstruction initiatives.

Speaking before the EU summit, Chancellor Merz emphasized the potential benefits of the plan, stating that the assets could provide Ukraine with approximately €140 billion (roughly $160 billion) in additional interest-free loans. This substantial financial injection would bolster Ukraine's military resilience for years to come, enabling the country to defend itself against ongoing aggression.

Chancellor Merz clarified that the objective of the plan is not to prolong the conflict but rather to expedite its resolution by intensifying pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin to engage in meaningful negotiations. By increasing the economic and political pressure on Russia, the EU hopes to create an environment conducive to a peaceful settlement.