Mathematics Professor Names India as a Role Model for Improving the German Education System

German mathematics professor Bernhard Krötz has expressed concern about the German education system, claiming that it does not effectively prepare students for university. Krötz conducted a comparative analysis of academic standards in Germany and India, which he discussed in a video published on YouTube. In doing so, he came to the conclusion that the Abitur, which serves as a university entrance requirement in Germany, does not adequately prepare students for university studies, particularly in the field of mathematics. Krötz attributed the inadequate academic preparation in mathematics during the first semester of study to insufficient teaching practices in senior high school.

Krötz noted that the German education system does not sufficiently equip students with the necessary skills to excel in scientific fields. He compared the Joint Entrance Examination in India with the requirements in North Rhine-Westphalia and found that almost no German student would pass the Indian test. Krötz believes that the Abitur does not adequately prepare students for higher education, especially in mathematics. He also referred to the new draft of the NRW core curriculum in mathematics: the tasks are too simple. The shortage of skilled workers in STEM fields (mathematics, computer science, natural sciences, and technology) is already a "real danger to the business location, our prosperity, and also for the energy transition," according to the NRW business association.

The Indian school system is more demanding and more focused on the natural sciences, as shown by the observations of this analysis. The NRW Ministry of Education responded by stating that the subjects taught in schools do not correspond to the scientific disciplines taught at universities. Critics argue that the German education system does not prepare students for the global competition for the brightest minds. The debate highlights the need for better-trained scientists in Germany.