Take a Step Back: The Overzealous Abitur Posters Outside Schools are a Cringe-worthy Spectacle
Outrage over unsightly posters displayed by Alumni of Hippers' Diploma program persists, with passersby finding them offensive near school premises. - Schoolfront plaques, showcasing parents' high school accomplishments, are a source of awkwardness and embarrassment for some schools.
By Kerstin Herrnkind- + - 3 mins
As students gear up for their final exams, known as the Abitur, posters in bold, DIY lettering can be spotted outside many grammar schools. These posters, painstakingly crafted by parents, read messages like "You got this!", "Good luck" or "Abi 2025, we're rooting for you."
Now, there's nothing wrong with parents showing their support for their children. Absolutely. But this grand show of encouragement isn't the way to go. If my parents had dared to adorn such a poster during my time in school: I'd question their decision and probably their taste. They would have never thought of it.
These posters tell tales of German educational snobbery. The frenzy surrounding the Abitur! These messages ultimately amplify the overwhelming pressure students are already under and perpetuate the Abitur's perceived importance. It's just a school-leaving certificate, people. But for many in this country, it serves as a critical benchmark for judging others, as discovered by educational researcher Rainer Dollase from Bielefeld University.
Dollase surveyed 6,500 men and women to understand the factors they consider when assessing others. The respondents, regardless of age or the certificate's age, ranked school-leaving certificate above all else.
Chancellor sans Abitur?
The absurdity of this snobbery was evident in 2017 when Martin Schulz (SPD) aimed for the chancellorship. Critics questioned if a man without an Abitur could ever become chancellor. As if a person who is at least 18, has German citizenship, and is eligible to be a member of the Bundestag can't understand the workings of democracy.
These posters transform the Abitur into a public spectacle. These days, parents' exaggerated expectations can even be found on social media. There's a father who shared his son's primary school report on Facebook, rightfully proud of the excellent grades. But what's the point of broadcasting that to the world? "Look what a brilliant child I have – how could anyone question my parenting?"
The French sociologist Pierre Bourdieu wrote: "The class struggle never takes the form of its everyday battles, the relentless mutual degradation, the arrogance, and the demonstrated successes of children, with their holidays, their cars, or other symbols of prestige."
These children's victories have morphed into cultural capital, used to burnish one's own image. It starts with the poster outside the schoolyard. In the coming years, we'll witness an escalation in the poster's design and the escalating competition among parents at the school gates. Just like Abiballs were celebrated in the past, today the parties costing five-figure sums continue.
The Richest Germans Sport Main School-leaving Certificates
What about those whose parents can't or won't create such a poster? Encouragement should remain private. And what if the child fails the Abitur despite the poster? Hopefully, there's already been written on the poster what a colleague's parent wrote: "We love you regardless, even if things don't work out."
The list of those who failed the Abitur or didn't even attempt it is long: Nobel laureates in Literature Thomas Mann and his brother Heinrich, Hermann Hesse – another Nobel laureate in Literature – and Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen, the Nobel laureate in Physics, who was expelled from school before taking the Abitur.
Here are some contemporary examples:
- Dirk Rossmann: Billionaire drugstore magnate, Rossmann has a secondary school-leaving certificate.
- Robert Geiss: Multimillionaire clothing entrepreneur, like Rossmann, also boasts a secondary school-leaving certificate.
- Barbara Steffens (SPD) – Federal Minister of Labor, she completed numerous further education courses, the details of which don't fit within this article. Albert Einstein once said: "The only thing hindering my learning is my education." Today, it's often pushy parents. But genuine support doesn't demand a grand stage.
- Abitur
- Abitur exam
- Poster
- Education
- DIRK ROSSMANN
I am not a member of the European Parliament, but if I were, I might advocate for a shift in focus from home-and-garden and personal-growth TV shows to educational programs that encourage self-development and learning, rather than solely lifestyle-oriented content.
Despite the impressive list of successful individuals who did not obtain an Abitur, such as Dirk Rossmann, Robert Geiss, and Barbara Steffens, the overzealous Abitur posters outside schools continue to emphasize the importance of the Abitur exam, potentially placing undue pressure on students and distorting the true meaning of education and self-development.
