Nearly 19% of people in Germany have a migration background with an increasing tendency. The challenge for society is to integrate immigrants, enable them to taking part in social life and give them the chance to develop themselves. The foundation of a peaceful, constructive and respectful interaction between people with different religions or cultural differences, begins with the integration of children in school. Mixed classes of immigrants and native children foster a better understanding of each other and make minorities to identify with society.
In Germany we can observe an opposite development. Immigrants are often separating themselves in school, with serious consequences. A school is “segregated”, if more than the half of the pupil have a migration background. In large cities in Germany, nearly 70% of the pupil of primary school with migration background are visiting such segregated school. In mid-size cities it is 57% and in small cities 41%. On the opposite, just 17.1% of German children are visiting a school with more than the half of immigrants.
The consequences of separation of schools are serious. Often factors from children with migration background, which constrain their success in school, are overlaying: families come out of lower social circumstances, German language skills are bad and knowledge is limited which could help in German schools. When these children are mainly together with other children with the same background, their chances of reaching higher education forms decrease drastically.
In past several approaches were implemented to counter this trend, like offering buses which carry children to other schools or the realignment of allocation of localities and schools. But all these policies didn’t stop or decrease segregation of schools.
Some experts pointed out that the biggest mistake of the German government is to impose one financial and educational system to all schools. This system is oriented only on German pupil with a homogenous cultural background and not a mix of different nationalities. To stimulate an intercultural opening, the diversity of pupil have to be taken into account. A successful step towards this trend is only possible if a reorientation over all areas of school will take place. Isolated actions like advanced trainings of some teachers are not enough. Further segregated should get access to special funds. A “social index” should act as a measure of the amount of payments which receive the schools.
To handle this topic is one the most important challenges Germany is faced with. With the demographical change as a background it is crucial to integrate immigrants to be prepared for future with a well-educated society to survive in a competitive environment.
Alexander Max #1575
 In 2005: 18%, compare Federal Statistical Office of Germany – Mikrozensus (2005/2011)
 See „Segregation an deutschen Schulen“ from Sachverständigenrat deutscher Stiftungen für Integration und Migration
 See „Die stärksten Schulen für die Schwachen“ from Tagesspiegel
 There are no overall campaigns to fight this problem, see: “Fortbildung in Deutschland 2012” from Goethe-Institut