Mon 8 May 2006
Is it really this bad? according to this Deutsch Welle article it really is (Christina will tell me now “told you so” but hey, I need to figure it out myself).
In reference to my recent posts (the one above as well as more about the education system) about the German as well as Australian education system I read today in the above Deutsch Welle article that the problems that become apparent in the education system are really only a reflection of the German society as a whole and the ingrained divisions that are there.
I was never aware of these strong divisions and that might be partly due to factors I explained in “more about the education system” but it also leaves me with this awful feeling of possibly having grown up amongst the so-called ‘elite’. Should my world have been such a pink and rosy one?
May 9th, 2006 at 5:44 am
I think there are definitely problems with the German system, but there are problems with every single system around the world - especially those of well developed first world countries.
I thought the article from DW was very interesting, but it was strange that they didn’t interview any representatives of these so-called ‘troublesome’ migrants. Certainly some parents have a bad attitude, but I think that a lot of parents are unable to help their kids due to lack of education on their part, not lack of will.
The German government certainly needs to make the system more equitable and acessible. Unfortunately you’ll find similar stories about schools in particular parts of Australia too, although the goverment is trying to remedy the situation…
I know that I grew up as one of the advantaged elite in Australia, but unfortunately, all that seems to mean is that I will be part of the first generation to earn less than our parents. My career path was a choice and I’m happy with that, but being well-educated does not guarantee a road to wealth (although it certainly helps!).
I guess my final point is that we are part of the elite and we have to use our position to try and help others have the same opportunities as we did.
May 9th, 2006 at 5:58 am
I just found a link to an article about problems with the Australian system (although it is from ‘today tonight’ so not that reliable) http://seven.com.au/todaytonight/story/?id=27139
May 9th, 2006 at 3:04 pm
Thanks for your input, Alex.
Yes, I’ve got to agree that often the lack of parental support for the children’s education (especially in an immigrant situation) can often be a lack of education on their part, but often I think it’s also a lack of understanding of the language. How can you help your child with school work in German when you don’t understand any German yourself?
You talked about our responsibility to make a difference. I’d be interested to know what specific points you can see to help other people have the same opportunities?
That ‘today-tonight’ article was interesting, but I do dislike the rethoric “the kids are so behind”. I really would have liked to see a few solutions to the problem put forward, specific steps that will change the situation.
May 9th, 2006 at 8:36 pm
I read that DW article yesterday too and found it pretty thought provoking. It just shows you that the archaic elitist system is still in place in Germany and that some children will never be given a chance to prove themselves.
I’ve seen in person what they’re talking about - parents who just don’t care and also (and probably mostly) foreign parents who, like you say, don’t have the education and language skills to help their children no matter how much they would like to. There is a little girl in my son’s fourth grade class whose parents are from Lebanon and have lived here for at least 10 years and the mother barely speaks any German. I can remember her two sons being in kindgergarten with our older son - they cried every day for about 3 months because no one spoke their language (Arabic) and they couldn’t speak German yet. Now all the children speak German very well, but the parents have been left behind and one of the boys was already put back a grade in school.
This is why the emphasis needs to be put on offering language courses for all immigrants as soon as they arrive in Germany, and for children spending longer hours at school with qualified teachers so they can get the individual help they need. Right now the schools are set up with the expectation that there is going to be at least one educated German-speaking parent at home to fill in the gaps and that’s just not the case.
Right now the ministries of education are making noises about introducing school uniforms as a sort of leveler, to even out the imbalance in social status. I’m all for school uniforms for other reasons but I have no idea why the authorities would think everyone wearing the same sweater is going to automatically solve the inequality problems in German schools.
May 10th, 2006 at 4:57 am
I think we can help other people in their education in a couple of simple ways. First is to not take our priveleges for granted. Second is to support the teachers (you’d be amazed how many parents don’t). Thirdly we can take a bit of time to help less advantaged students. Many schools have a programme where the older children tutor the younger children in reading and maths for free (i.e. for fun!). Parents can try to make connections with other parents and help them help their children, for example setting up a study/homework group once or twice a week at your house. Fluent speakers of the national language can help parents from other backgrounds with their language and just try to be friendly.
All this stuff takes time, energy and persistance. Not all offers of help will be accepted, but hopefully some will, particularly if the school principal supports the idea. An alternative source of support could be the cutlural club/embassy/unofficial representative of the immigrants that you would like to help.
These are just some ideas, and as I don’t have children in school yet, I can’t say if they would be hugely successful or not. But I hope that when the time comes (currently I teach English full-time in Germany, which although it’s not particularly altruistic, does feel like it’s helping some people some of the time), I have the time to help a few people who are not as priveleged as I am.
May 11th, 2006 at 2:42 pm
Christina yes, it seems totally silly to think that school uniforms would wipe out the social inequality.
Having gone to school in Germany I never had a school uniform and when the introduction of one was discussed our whole class would shudder at the thought of oldfashioned skirts and blouses. But after having lived in Australia for 5 years now I can see the benefits of school uniforms. But as you said, eradicating social imbalances isn’t one of them. It makes the differences less apparent amongst the students which will help their own perception of each other but the inequality in itself would still be there just the same.
Alex I think it’s sooo easy to take what you’ve got for granted and loose sight of the fact that other people don’t have the same opportunities in life.
I’d really like to believe that your suggestions would work but I’m a bit doubtfull about it. In circumstances where parents would hope for a good education for their children but struggle with their own language inability I can see those suggestions working. Yet, thinking about the Australian context, I think, there’s lots of parents to whom education really doesn’t matter and who might react negatively about someone coming along and offering to help their kids as they might perceive that as criticism on their own parenting.
Have you seen things like you mentioned working anywhere?
May 12th, 2006 at 8:32 pm
School uniforms do help out socail inequality but I hated having to wear one when I was at school in England, as did all my friends from every social class.
All educations systems have problems and there is no fair system. A lot of parents think that the state is purely responsible for education. I personally believe the emphasis should also be on the parents educating at home as well, especially in topics not covered in school. Unfortunately many parents do not have an interest in their childs education.
May 13th, 2006 at 2:17 am
I actually liked wearing a school uniform because I didn’t have any ‘cool’ clothes to wear to school, so I would have been ostracised if we hadn’t had uniforms. And also my parents would have had to spend a lot more money on clothes (uniforms for public schools are a relatively cheap way of clothing your kids for 5 days of the week).
I haven’t heard of many examples of my ideas working, but there are some programs that I know of. For example, a lot of schools now have breakfast programs to make sure that all the kids start the day on a full stomach. I definitely know of schools which have the big kids tutoring the little kids. As far as the parents getting involved, it’s more complicated and some parents may not like it, but I’m sure I’ve heard of it working somewhere, but I can’t remember the specifics. I think it might have been in an area with a high migrant population, but one which was also very motivated for their children to learn, e.g. Chinese or Vietnamese.
In regard to Haddock’s comment, I definitely think that parents need to help, but it would really suck to be a kid whose parents are not interested in or able to help. The government does need to be there to ensure that these kids get some support too.
May 16th, 2006 at 9:25 pm
Haddock Yes I think parents have a responsiblity to take their childrens’ education serious and put in their bit as schools/teachers are fighting a loosing battle otherwise, but as Alex said it is also the governments responsibility to put in their bit and try to give all children a good start in life whether their parents care about their education or not.
Alex You really do have good ideas! I have heard about that school breakfast too, which is a fantastic idea as kids will be able to concentrate so much better when they’ve eaten something nutricious before starting school. I have also seen lots of parent come and help at school by helping the children with their reading and always assumed that this was quite normal.
I guess, as you said, it all comes down to not taking our privileges for granted and the awareness that lots of children don’t have the same opportunities and trying to make a difference in their life by getting involved in ways possible.