Overview

• Bavaria's mandatory German language tests for kindergarteners aim to identify children needing support before primary school, following poor PISA results.
• Critics, including the BLLV, have labeled the rollout as bureaucratically inefficient and poorly planned, causing stress for educators and families.
• Teachers and psychologists report conducting tests during their own time without additional compensation, exacerbating existing staffing shortages.
• Concerns persist about the adequacy of follow-up support for children identified with language deficits due to a lack of kindergarten places and staff shortages.
• Education Minister Anna Stolz has acknowledged the issues and announced an 'optimization phase' to refine the process, with additional teaching staff expected by autumn 2025.