Successes at VHS Oberberg Nine participants have achieved the Extended First School Leaving Certificate

Oberbergischer Kreis. Nine participants of the VHS Oberberg have successfully achieved their “Extended First School Leaving Certificate” (Hauptschulabschluss after grade 10). During a small ceremony, the VHS Oberberg management team presented them with their graduation certificates – an important milestone on their personal educational journey.

Die VHS Oberberg gratulierte den Absolventinnen und Absolventen zum erfolgreichen Abschluss des „Erweiterten Ersten Schulabschluss“ (Hauptschulabschluss nach Klasse 10). Alle Absolventinnen und Absolventen möchten weiter machen und haben sich bereits für den Mittleren Schulabschluss angemeldet. (Foto: OBK) — The VHS Oberberg congratulated the graduates on successfully completing the “Extended First School Leaving Certificate” (Hauptschulabschluss after grade 10). All graduates want to continue their education and have already enrolled for the Intermediate School Leaving Certificate. (Photo: OBK)

Behind the graduates lies a challenging school year. Classes took place Monday through Friday in the evening hours and required a lot of perseverance: many of the participants had to balance studying with work and family commitments. The curriculum included subjects such as mathematics, biology, and history. For some participants who have only recently started living in Germany, the German language was an additional challenge. With great dedication, mutual support, and a high willingness to learn, the group successfully overcame these obstacles.

Die VHS-Leitung Sarah Krämer (l.) und Dr. Peter Ley (M.) gratulierten zu einem besonders gutes Ergebnis, das Malte Paul (r.) mit seinem makellosen 1er-Zeugnis erreicht hat. (Foto: OBK) — The VHS management Sarah Krämer (l.) and Dr. Peter Ley (m.) congratulated on an exceptionally good result achieved by Malte Paul (r.) with his flawless grade 1 certificate. (Photo: OBK)

Extended First School Leaving Certificate is just the beginning

The successful graduation is not an endpoint for the graduates, but a stepping stone: All of them have already enrolled in the next educational program and are now jointly aiming for the Intermediate School Leaving Certificate by summer.

“We are very proud of this achievement and warmly congratulate all graduates,” says Peter Ley, head of the educational program at VHS Oberberg. “The fact that the entire group has decided to continue their educational journey together shows how motivating collaborative learning can be and how strong the bond has grown beyond the classroom.” He extends special thanks to the teaching staff: “Their continuous commitment and support have significantly contributed to this success.”

Applications for school qualifications through second-chance education

If you are interested in obtaining a school qualification through second-chance education – or know someone who is –, please contact Dr. Peter Ley at phone number 02261 88-4326 or via email at peter.ley@obk.de. For registrations, please reach out to Bogna Kubis at phone number 02261 88-4368 or via email at bognazofia.kubis@obk.de.

The next evening course “First School Leaving Certificate (after grade 9)” begins on September 2, 2026, and ends in July 2027. The course “Extended First School Leaving Certificate (after grade 10 A)” runs from September 2, 2026, to February 2027.

Further information can be found at www.vhs-oberberg.de/schulabschluesse.

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