Politics
Berlin School Law Sets New Compulsory Preschool and Secondary Requirements from 2025/26
The measures alter preschool access for non-German-speaking children and secondary school entry rules for Berlin families.
How we reported this
Berlin's new School Law introduces compulsory preschool education known as the Kitachance Year for non-German-speaking children not enrolled in kindergarten, requiring 35 hours per week starting in the 2025/26 school year. The same legislation adds an eleventh year of compulsory education from 2025/26 and removes the probationary year at Gymnasium upper secondary schools, with admission now determined by grades in German, mathematics and the first foreign language.
Effects on local education services
These provisions directly change how families in Berlin access early education services and how students move into upper secondary schooling. Non-German-speaking children previously outside kindergarten will now enter structured preschool programs, while the extended compulsory period keeps more students in the system for an additional year. Gymnasium selection shifts to grade-based criteria without the prior probationary period.
The accompanying quality strategy expands support concepts across schools, introduces regular standardized evaluations of learning progress and aims to raise the share of pupils meeting national minimum standards in German and mathematics. Local residents encounter these changes through altered enrollment processes at kindergartens and schools, revised transition pathways at secondary level and new assessment routines in classrooms.
Implications for community infrastructure and daily routines
Implementation of the requirements is expected to affect staffing and facility use at existing preschool and school sites across Berlin districts. Families will need to adjust schedules around the 35-hour weekly preschool obligation and the longer period of mandatory attendance. The government projects these steps will increase the proportion of pupils reaching defined learning benchmarks through expanded support measures and ongoing evaluations.
Further rollout details, including any adjustments to local school operations, will follow from the responsible Berlin authorities in the coming period.