The Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education, Science and Cultural Affairs represents cross-state responsibility and smart consensus. Because the future needs cooperation.
Under One Roof: Education, Science and Culture – Together for Germany
Central Office for Foreign Education (ZAB)
The ZAB is the central authority for evaluating foreign educational qualifications in Germany. It supports the recognition authorities of the federal states, prepares expert reports for authorities and educational institutions, assesses university degrees from around the world, and provides information on professional qualifications. As a competence and information center for foreign education, it operates the information portal anabin.
The ZAB provides information and consultation for public authorities, education institutions, and individuals. ZAB employees have a combined knowledge of more than 55 languages and expertise in over 200 education systems worldwide.
Our service for you:
Pedagogical Exchange Service (PAD)
“Education through exchange” – Under this motto, the Pedagogical Exchange Service (PAD) of the Secretariat of the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs promotes exchange in the school sector. Its work serves intercultural dialogue and understanding among people and cultures in Europe and around the world. In this way, it fosters European and international competence, openness to the world and tolerance, foreign language learning, and interest in the German language and culture abroad. As the National Agency for EU programmes, it implements the Erasmus+ programme in the school sector.
The PAD particularly promotes school exchanges and school partnerships, professional development and further training for teachers, foreign language assistants and voluntary services for young adults, as well as outstanding pupils. Owing to the professional competence and educational expertise of its staff, it serves schools as a point of contact not only for individual programmes but also for topics related to school exchange in general. In addition, it advises ministries, public authorities and foundations on questions concerning the development and further development of exchange programmes.
Standing Scientific Commission (SWK)
The Standing Scientific Commission provides evidence-based and independent advice to the Conference of Ministers of Education on the further development of the education system. The scientific advisory body consists of 16 members with outstanding expertise in the field of educational research. A dedicated office supports the Commission in its work.
IQB – Institute for Quality Development in Education
The IQB is a joint scientific institution of all 16 federal states, based at Humboldt University in Berlin. It specifies and reviews educational standards, develops test and teaching materials, and supports educational monitoring in Germany.
Aktuelles
Europäisches Kulturerbe-Siegel für die urbane Flusslandschaft Pader („The Pader Urban River Landscape“)
Die Europäische Kommission hat heute die urbane Flusslandschaft Pader in Paderborn mit dem Europäischen Kulturerbe-Siegel (EKS) ausgezeichnet. Damit reiht sich die Stätte in den Kreis der Kulturerbestätten ein, deren besondere Bedeutung für die Geschichte, Kultur und Werte Europas gewürdigt wird.
Aktuelle Pressemitteilungen:
- Pressemitteilung vom Neuer Internetauftritt der Kultusministerkonferenz online - kmk.org in neuer Struktur und modernisierter Form
- Pressemitteilung vom CO₂-Kulturstandard weiterentwickelt
- Pressemitteilung vom Bayerns Wissenschaftsminister Markus Blume übernimmt Präsidentschaft der Wissenschafts-MK 2026
Our Board
Education
Minister of State Anna Stolz
Bavaria, President of the Conference of Ministers of Education
Culture
Minister of State Katharina Binz
The Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education, Science and Cultural Affairs (KMK) coordinates overarching matters of education policy, higher education and science policy, as well as cultural policy of supraregional importance. Detailed information can be found here. On our website, you will find numerous services (including for German schools abroad, vocational schools, and holiday regulations). Additional details complementing the main topics can be found in the section on in-depth content.