Welcome
German schools abroad – where children from different cultures meet
German schools abroad are more than just places of encounter and shared learning. They are also an instrument in cultural relations and education policy.
German schools abroad are places where pupils from a wide range of cultural and social backgrounds learn together and prepare themselves for the future. On an individual level, they promote intercultural dialogue, while on a higher level they foster a modern image of Germany and promote the knowledge of German in the host country. This makes German schools abroad an important part of cultural relations and education policy.
German schools abroad serve a twofold purpose: While they cater to German families around the world who are either posted abroad or abroad on business and want their children to have a German school education, nationals of the host country and other residents are also invited to send their children to their respective German school abroad. German schools abroad issue school-leaving qualifications recognised in Germany.
They are a successful example of public-private partnerships, as they are run by independent bodies which contribute substantial funding that they raise through fees and donations.
Accountable to the Federal Foreign Office, the Central Agency for Schools Abroad advises German schools abroad and supports them both in terms of staff and funding. Since 2014, the German Schools Abroad Act has given the schools a legal entitlement to receive funding from Germany.
The network of German schools abroad
The Central Agency for Schools Abroad currently supports and promotes 135 German schools abroad in 68 countries with around 82,000 pupils, 60,000 of whom are children of non-German origin. In addition to the German schools abroad, the Central Agency for Schools Abroad supports instruction in German as a foreign language at some 1100 schools worldwide that offer the German Language Certificate (DSD) of the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs of the Länder in the Federal Republic of Germany. The network of schools abroad also includes 27 German profile schools (DPS) with their particularly distinctive profile of German-language teaching and school-leaving certificates. Along with approximately 700 FIT schools, which are co-funded by the Goethe-Institut, they are part of the global network of the Schools: Partners for the Future (PASCH) initiative.
Around 1800 teachers recruited from Germany teach at these schools. The Central Agency for Schools Abroad provides them with organisational and pedagogical support as well as funding during their placements abroad.
Inclusion and vocational training
Important focuses of the schools’ work are the promotion of vocational training and inclusion at German schools abroad.
The German schools abroad include nine dual vocational training centres, two independent vocational schools and two technical colleges. In addition, pupils are supported in their vocational orientation through targeted study and career guidance.
The German schools abroad are characterised by diversity, and individual inclusion concepts provide all pupils with the best possible educational opportunities.
Alumni networks
The Central Agency for Schools Abroad offers regular alumni meetings and projects for school-leavers of the various schools abroad. In addition, school-leavers are supported in making the transition from school to vocational training or university in Germany. This helps to create long-term networks that foreign policy and the export and cultural sector can draw on.