Education in East Germany

The German Democratic republic [East Germany] started its own standerdized education system in the 1960s. The East German equivalent of both primary and secondsary schools was the polytechnic secondary school [polytecnische  Oberschule], which all students attended  for 10 years, from the ages of 6 to 16. at the end of the 10th year, an exit examination was set. depending upon the results, a pupil could choose to come out of education or undertake an appreticeship for an additional two years, followed by an Abitur.Those who perfomed very well and displayed loyelty to the ruling party could change to the Erweiterte Obershule [extended high school],where they could take their Abiture examinations after 12 school years. although this system was abolished in the early 1990s after reunification, it continues ti influence school life in the eastern German states.