Two Germanies Becoming One: Restructuring the Educational System

The recent unification of Germany produces the problem of how to integrate the considerably different education systems of the former German Democratic Republic (GDR) and the Federal Republic of Germany(FRG). The principles of the educational philosophies, the educational policies and the admission policies of both states, the impact of the control machinery on the citizens of the GDR, as well as the structural differences and similarities and the consequences for organisation from the nurseries to the universities are outlined. The prospects for the future of both the institutions and the personnel are examined. It is argued that, although the unification was made possible by the East Germans, the adaptation to the new situation has to be made mainly by them and their institutions.