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Early school entrance examinations: Alarming deficits in children
In the Uelzen district, school entrance examinations begin for 1,000 children in order to identify learning and behavioral issues at an early stage.
Early school entrance examinations: Alarming deficits in children
On October 28, 2025, school entrance examinations for future school children began in Lower Saxony. How NDR reported, these examinations are mandatory nationwide for children aged six. The first children have already been examined in the Uelzen district, and around 1,000 children will be examined by the health department by May 2026. Sigrid Kaczmarek, the responsible pediatrician, explains that the aim of these examinations is to ensure school readiness and the early identification of obstacles to learning and participation.
Children who have not had regular check-ups or who are new to Germany particularly benefit from this measure. Almost 25 percent of children in Lower Saxony show abnormalities in their language, including difficulties with pronunciation and sentence formation. Many of these children are already receiving speech therapy before starting school, highlighting the increasing challenges encountered in schools.
Changing media usage is causing concern
The causes of language and behavioral deficits are diverse. The effects of the pandemic, changes in media usage and the social environment should not be underestimated. The number of children with unusual behavior, such as concentration problems or restlessness, has also increased. In particular, children who consume digital media for more than two hours a day are at risk of developing additional difficulties. The German Society for Child and Adolescent Medicine (DGKJ) recommends that children aged three to six years have a maximum of 30 minutes of media time per day under supervision.
Another alarming aspect is that almost ten percent of children in Lower Saxony are overweight. This number has stabilized since the Corona times. In cities such as the Diepholz district and the Hanover region, children more often show abnormalities in school entrance examinations. Here too, experts blame media consumption, which could have a negative impact on children's development.
A look into the business world
These different developments in the areas of education and business show how diverse the challenges are that our society has to face. Whether it's about children's school readiness or innovative business practices, it's important to recognize and respond to changes early.