German Schools Abroad

Germany's Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier wants to see the number of German schools in other countries nearly double, according to a German newspaper.

Steinmeier proposes increasing the number of schools from the current 600 to approximately 1,000. He also wants to give the existing system a strong boost in funding, the Handelsblatt newspaper reported Monday. Steinmeier has proposed increasing funding from the current 41.5 million euros ($57.4 million) to 209.5 million in 2008. The foreign schools are under the oversight of Germany's foreign ministry.

Important for business

The idea has broad support from the business community, which sees the schools as an important part of their presence abroad.

"Foreign Minister Steinmeier's initative to considerably boost the budget for financing German schools in foreign countries is good and necessary," said the president of the German Chambers of Industry and Commerce (DIHK), Ludwig Braun.

The schools make it easier for German companies to convince managers to accept assignments abroad, as their children can be guaranteed to get a German education. Additionally, the non-Germans who attend the schools are also a source of potential labor for German companies operating abroad.

Keeping up with other countries

Germany currently has 117 schools in 63 countries with slightly more than 100,000 students. Additionally, there are more than 400 schools with a German section and another 100 with staff and support from Germany.

The planned increase would include a new school in Dubai and an expansion of a current one in Tehran.

In comparison, the United States has 194 schools in foreign countries, the United Kingdom has 178. France finances 252 schools and Italy has 169 plus another 110 with Italian sections.