Complaints about changes in East German education following the break-down of the communist system are widespread. Critics are dissatisfied with: (1) the rapid pace of change; (2) the lack of genuine East German solutions; (3) the loss of the German Democratic Republic's (GDR's) identity; (4) dominance by Western Germany; and (5) the lack of West German sensitivity to the east's problems. Over time, easterners realized that GDR's rigid socialist education system had to be changed. The scope of political indoctrination in the schools and the dearth of meaningful education and training, combined with growing instability in the Soviet Union, left little room for gradual change. Strong support for conservatives in western Germany in the long run helped keep Helmut Kohl, a strong proponent of reunification, in power. There was little significant effort to improve East German education. East and West German concepts of egalitarianism differed greatly, with the East promoting uniformity and the West employing a structurally differentiated system of educational "tracks." The post-reunification goals of academic freedom and decentralization will require further changes. East German education will continue to face problems of finance, teacher quality, restructuring, and a lack of private support. Nonetheless, in 10 years, East Germany is likely to occupy a highly competitive educational position in Germany and the European Community. (Contains 32 references.) (LBG)