European Stars And Stripes (Newspaper) - May 10, 1987, Darmstadt, Hesse                                German teens protest plan to toughen Abizur exam Bymark Heinrich associated press a Norv West German High  have been protesting a plan Lolo Ghon he Abizur. Ine 200 year old examination dreaded by teen agers Andirea swed by educators. The conservative Christian democrats want to make Ihu Tost Faken a i the end of High school More Rejiri cull by restoring its emphasis on traditional subjects like Mal Homanics. The Lell leaning social democrats reject any moves thai would limit students choices of courses the Abizur conceived in the elite schools of Prussia in 1788, evolved into a grueling Marathon of written and Cral Lesis a German Slu Denis must pass to enter a University students prepare Lor the Abizur at special High schools called gymnasiums and Are Given just two chances to pass in. Gymnasium students wheeled not to attend a University often go directly into while co far jobs alter passing he Abizur in their Laic icons or Early 20s is forbidding image has became part of Germany s popular lore. In the late a a Titi Boell s novel Trie to in. A schoolgirl who runs away with her Boyfriend scandalized the neighbourhood because she disappears ust before taking the Aqilur today German University  sometimes describe the closeness of certain in ends by saying went in Roith Abizur with them the Aqilur s written portion entails up to 30 hours of tests Over seven to 14 Days depending on the state a one hour Oral exam follows Bui conservative state governments say the Ferror of the Abizur is now More legend than fact due to changes approved in 1972 in acl Imale of pro Leil against course rigidity. Is uni Utimio German student preparing Lor the Abizur a grueling Marathon of pro univ Gritty written and Oral Ezsma. Before the Reform High school curricula were set and students had to take the Aqilur in German mathematics and history. Since the change slide nos ear largely select their courses in the last i to years -1 High school. They can also select their Lour subjects for the Aqilur provided that three categories a a represented language literature and Arl social science and mathematics and Nal Utal Spence. Today conservative critics in government universities and private Industry complain of Young people s declining ability to Wrife proper German or work out a problem Many Young people today end to Lack the foggiest idea of How things i together in history and Liler Alurac. The schools should excite yearning Lor that idea said Goto Mann 7b. A noted historian and son of Gorman author Thomas Mann the 1929 Nobel laureate Tor literature i think the Aqilur must ensure that one has a rounded knowledge in fir Story and literature and natural  said Mann vrho passed his Abizur in 1927, critics Traco the deckle in Scholastic standards to the 1970s, when gymnasium enrolments soared 60 percent during a concerted drive to attract pupils from working class backgrounds in accommodating the larger number of students and their wishes gymnasium standards inevitably slipped the critics contend about 25 percent of Germany s secondary school pupils now go on of gymnasium. The remainder Are enrolled in less prestigious High schools or Trade schools. Stales governed by the Christian Democrat Union cd moved this year to undo some o Ine 1972 changes they want at least two mandatory sul cd reintroduced la gymnasiums. States ruled by the left loaning social democrats retort that the Abizur is Lough enough they vow to resist what i hey Call Cou plans to limit students Freedom in choosing courses. More than 50,000 High school students have rallied in Tho streets in protest against a More traditional Aqilur since she snarl of april. In one town in the stale of Hessen. About 200 pupils occupied the school building overnight in Dusseldorf a state culture ministry official lied inside his office to escape eggs hurled by students. Tho protesters have been emboldened by the French and Spanish students who staged Largo Streel pro lists against government school reforms aimed Al limiting University admissions. Carsten Conno 18, is in his Netho last year of High school m Frankfurt he has no joined in demonstrations but said he wants no Parl of a tougher Abizur it s a full Lime Job m the fast Avo years 10 courses Reghl hours of classes a Day. Four hours of Homework a night iwo to three tests a  Conno said i Ihrk the German school system is very Good because m s very disciplined and very demanding " Wolf Mohr a spokesman or the culture ministers coherence which oversees education in he Federal Republic of Germany s Stales said Itie proportion of Sluder ils ailing the Aqilur has hovered around 6 percent to 7 percent since 1970. Before the Reform. From a statistical standpoint there s no basis for saying the Bilu has gotten any  Mohr said the Issue must be resolved unanimously by the 10 state culture ministers arid the wast Berlin Cukurs minister they  oversee school standards an april meeting of he Sajle i Ramblers failed of end the dispute another session is scheduled Lor june Page 16 the stars and stripes sunday. May 10,1987