In the second quarter of 2025, statistics recorded an impressive figure: over 227,000 children from Ukraine attend German schools. This is about 2% of all students in the country. Behind these dry figures are thousands of stories of adaptation, parental anxieties, and children’s discoveries. Many mothers and fathers, accustomed to the strict Ukrainian system, ask with horror: “Why is there so little homework? Is my child not degenerating?” Let’s figure out what the German school actually is and whether it is a step backward or, conversely, a ticket to the future.
Integration: Successes in Language and Hidden Stress
The first thing every Ukrainian student encounters in Germany is the language barrier. And here the results are impressive: by mid-2024, more than half of the children rated their German language skills as “good” or “very good.” This allowed most of them to move from special “welcome classes” (Willkommensklassen) to regular ones, alongside their German peers.
However, psychological difficulties are hidden behind external successes. Studies show that Ukrainian children, especially teenagers, often feel “out of place” in German schools. They are more anxious and less confident than their local classmates. A sense of belonging to the group comes later, along with confident command of the language and the understanding that the family will stay in Germany for a long time.
Two Worlds, Two Systems: Why the German School is a Shock for Ukrainians
The main reason for parental concerns is not the curriculum, but the philosophy of education itself. We are used to a system where the teacher is an unquestionable authority, and a mistake is a reason for a bad grade. In Germany, everything is different.
Here are the key differences that every parent should understand:
| Aspect | Familiar Ukrainian School | German School |
|---|---|---|
| Role of the Teacher | Authority, main source of knowledge, strict control. | Mentor, moderator who helps the student learn independently. |
| Attitude towards Mistakes | A mistake is bad; it is “punished” with a grade. | A mistake is a normal part of learning, a reason for discussion. |
| Main Goal | To impart a large volume of knowledge, prepare for ZNO/NMT. | To teach critical thinking, teamwork, and applying knowledge in life. |
| Learning Process | Rote memorization of material, strict curriculum. | Project work, discussions, focus on the student’s interests and opinions. |
| Grades and Discipline | Grades can be announced to the whole class; strict dress code requirements. | Grades are a personal matter for the student; no school uniform; atmosphere of freedom. |
Seventeen-year-old Bohdana from Kharkiv, who has been studying in Germany for almost two years, describes the difference: “In Ukraine, I was taught not to think for myself, but to find what I considered right. I was afraid to say or do something wrong… If your opinion did not coincide with the teacher’s opinion, it affected your grades. Here [in Germany], my grades are entirely my responsibility.”
“Weak Math” or Deep Immersion?
The most common parental concern is “the curriculum in Germany is weaker.” And indeed, at first glance, it might seem so.
Iryna, a mother of two and a teacher from Donetsk, shares: “It’s a very low level [in Germany]. The difference in math is huge… In Ukraine, the curriculum is broader and there is more knowledge.” Many parents, fearing “losing” their child, hire tutors or simultaneously follow the Ukrainian online program.
But there is another opinion. Svitlana, a mother of a 15-year-old teenager from Kyiv, believes: “In Ukraine, you learn a lot, but superficially. In literature, for example, they cram 20 novels a year and rush through them. Here [in Germany], they take one and spend about six months just reading and discussing it. So, the learning here is deeper.”
Interestingly, the German approach – with its focus on critical thinking, freedom of opinion, and practical application of knowledge – is very reminiscent of the goals of the “New Ukrainian School” (NUS) reform, which started in Ukraine but did not have time to fully unfold due to the pandemic and the war.
What Parents Should Do: 4 Key Tips
- Stop Comparing. You cannot measure the German school by Ukrainian standards. These are two different educational galaxies. Accept the new system as a given and try to see its strengths.
- Support Your Child Psychologically. Adapting to a new country and school is a huge stress. More important than your control over grades right now is your support, trusting conversations, and help in finding friends.
- Collaborate with the School. Attend parent-teacher meetings (Elternabend), even if your German is not perfect. Teachers will see your interest and will help your child more.
- Preserve Ukrainian Identity. The German school does not negate Ukrainian identity. Speak your native language at home, read Ukrainian books, watch movies. This will help your child maintain a connection to their roots.
Conclusion
The German school is neither good nor bad; it is simply different. It prepares not so much erudite individuals as independent, responsible, and free personalities who can work in a team and are not afraid to express their opinions. For Ukrainian children, this is undoubtedly a challenge. But at the same time, it is a unique opportunity to gain skills that will be invaluable anywhere in the modern world.
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