In view of the constantly improving grades, teacher, university and business associations are questioning the meaningfulness of the Hessian Abitur.

As reported, this year was the best grade point average since the State Abitur was introduced 15 years ago.

Never before have there been so many students with the best grade of 1.0.

Their share of the candidates total was 4.5 percent.

For comparison: in 2017 only two percent of the students received the best rating and in 2007 only 1.1 percent.

This year's average mark of 2.23 is also the best value since 2007 (2.48).

Rainer Schulz

Editor in the Rhein-Main-Zeitung.

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The Hessian Association of Philologists views this development with mixed feelings: According to a statement, everyone is happy about the 1.0 Abitur and excellent grades.

But the credibility of the highest school qualification is in danger.

The ever better grades did not reflect an increase in the general level of education.

The association sees the risk that really good high school graduates will get lost in the crowd.

In addition, university teachers too often complained about a lack of ability to study and gaps in knowledge, for example in mathematics and the natural sciences, but also in language training.

Advanced courses are often necessary.

A nationwide equivalence of the exams is still a pious wish.

Grade plays less and less role

"The significance of the Abitur grades must not be lost," says the chairman of the Hessian Association of Philologists, Reinhard Schwab.

The general ability to study in all subjects must have priority.

But on the whole this goal has been missed for a long time.

In the meantime, more than half of the young people are certified as having a higher education entrance qualification.

At the same time, however, there is a blatant shortage of skilled workers in various sectors, for example in construction, in care and among educators.

The philologists want critical examinations to be carried out into how one can prevent pupils from moving on the 'wrong track' at school.

The imbalance between academic and professional training is already having a painful effect today.

Business associations also regularly complain that there is a lack of skilled workers.

In addition, the Abitur grade plays an increasingly minor role in the selection of applicants, as Brigitte Scheuerle explains, who is responsible for training and further education at the Frankfurt Chamber of Industry and Commerce.

“The grades are becoming less and less meaningful.

That's why the companies are also less guided by the Abitur grades.” Many training companies complained that the level of education of school leavers with Abitur had fallen in recent years.

"There are major deficits, for example in normal fractions, percentages and rule of three."

Hans-Detlef Horn, Chairman of the Hessen State Association in the German University Association, also doubts that there is an increase in performance behind the good grades.

In fact, the ability of high school graduates to study has recently declined.