A concerning new study reveals a significant decline in the performance of German students in mathematics and natural sciences, prompting renewed debate about the state of the nation’s education system. The “IQB-Bildungstrend 2024” conducted by the Institute for Quality Development in Education, paints a stark picture of diminishing standards across secondary level I (grades 5-10).
The report highlights a consistent and alarming trend: students are increasingly failing to meet both minimum and standard benchmarks in mathematics, physics, chemistry and biology. Comparing results to those recorded in 2012 and 2018, the study demonstrates a widespread deterioration in performance. Notably, the proportion of ninth-graders missing the minimum standard required for the First School Leaving Certificate has risen by three percentage points since 2018, while those failing to meet the minimum standard for the Intermediate School Leaving Certificate rose by nearly ten percentage points.
In 2024, nearly nine percent of all ninth-graders failed to achieve the minimum standard in mathematics for the First School Leaving Certificate, with a staggering 34 percent failing to meet the minimum standard for the Intermediate School Leaving Certificate. The situation is equally bleak in other STEM subjects, with approximately 24 percent of students aspiring to the Intermediate School Leaving Certificate struggling with mathematics, 25 percent failing in chemistry, 16 percent in physics and 10 percent in biology.
The report’s findings are not geographically limited, affecting students in every federal state across Germany. Researchers attribute this decline to a confluence of factors, including the lingering impact of pandemic-related school closures and disruptions, alongside a rising proportion of students from immigrant backgrounds. Crucially, the report emphasizes that these setbacks transcend socioeconomic barriers, impacting students regardless of their family or social background.
While authorities acknowledge the complexities of the situation, the findings are fueling a political storm, with opposition parties demanding urgent systemic reforms. Critics argue the current curriculum places insufficient emphasis on foundational STEM skills and worry about the long-term economic consequences of a generation underperforming in critical fields. The report’s publication ensures renewed scrutiny of Germany’s education policies and pressure for swift intervention to reverse this worrying trend.