Computer Science Now Mandatory in Majority of German States

In a growing number of German states, computer science is now a compulsory subject in general education schools. Only in Berlin, Brandenburg, and Hesse will computer science not be a compulsory subject in the foreseeable future, according to the German Informatics Society. - AFP

Computer science is now a compulsory subject in general education schools in more and more federal states. Only Berlin, Brandenburg, and Hesse will not be introducing compulsory computer science classes in the foreseeable future, according to an announcement made on Tuesday in Berlin by the German Informatics Society, the Stifterverband, and the Heinz Nixdorf Foundation.

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With students in Hamburg also receiving compulsory computer science lessons since the start of the new school year, ten federal states have now introduced computer science as a compulsory subject in all secondary schools. Five years ago, there were only four federal states.

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Saxony-Anhalt is taking a different approach with compulsory computer science lessons in secondary and community schools (Gemeinschaftsschulen), but this will not be introduced in Gymnasium schools there. Bremen will follow suit in the coming school year, and Rhineland-Palatinate will follow in 2028/2029. Berlin, Brandenburg, and Hesse, which are lagging behind, have no similar plans as yet.

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According to the analysis, there are major differences in the number of computer science lessons in grades five to ten. The Standing Scientific Commission of the Conference of Ministers of Education (KMK) recommends six hours of computer science instruction per week, with these hours applying to all grade levels. This means, for example, one hour per week from fifth to tenth grade. Only Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Thuringia, and Saarland comply with this recommendation.

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Moreover, computer science in the upper grades of Gymnasiums still lags behind the natural sciences. Nationwide, only 16 percent of young people took computer science courses in the 2023/2024 school year. This rate is far behind that of physics and chemistry, at 38 percent each, and biology, at 78 percent. According to KMK guidelines, only one natural science subject is compulsory in upper secondary school; computer science can be offered and taken as an additional subject.

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