Saturday, April 9, 2011

School system in Germany

Classes in the morning and sports in the afternoon! This statement is a bit synthetic. What are the weaknesses of the model school on the other side of the Rhine?

It is necessary to recall that Germany is a federal state composed of several states. Each Land has its own constitution and is sovereign in matters of culture, organization of police services, municipal law and of course in the field of school education.

In Germany, education is administered by the Länder. The Department of Education at the national level as in France does not exist. Each region is different but still following a national guideline.

Analyze the process of teaching from the very small classes ...

Elementary education

The primary school in Germany is provided by the "Grundschule (basic school) and is compulsory for all children from six years. Education lasts four years with a difference in Berlin and Brandenburg where it lasts six years.

The first mission of the elementary school is to integrate children into society and teach them how to live in community. The goal is not to put children under pressure and in this context, there are no notes during the first two years only oral assessments. Repetition is very rare to not put the child in a situation of failure from an early age.

Teachers have intensive training on pedagogy and on the psychological approach to the child. The emphasis is on new methods of work as the teaching of foreign languages ​​or on group projects. The courses are fairly open to the outside.

Lower secondary education

The organization of the secondary system (12/13 years) is characterized by the division between the choices of students and various educational schools that are different from one Land to another.

Most Länder have "Gesamtschulen" (schools of understanding). If each state has its own schools with very specific names that differ from each other. At this level, schools represent a particular phase of promotion and guidance of the educational path as an adult.

Around the age of 15 years, students entering upper secondary education. The type of school chosen depends on the skills and qualifications obtained at the end of lower secondary education.

Class hours in Germany

In Germany, the school day focuses on a morning compact. Children eat at home after school because there is no canteen.

The 1st and 2nd class (CP and CE1) are four hours per day and the 3rd and 4th grades (CE2 and CM1) have five hours.

These courses are always delivered in the morning from Monday to Friday.

The advantage of this system is that all children have their afternoon to do homework or participate in extracurricular activities like sports, arts activities ... But the problem is that parents organize activities in the afternoon, which is incompatible with working full time.

The number of working women is steadily increasing and the housewife is no longer the dominant model in Germany. This mode of education would require significant resources and infrastructure, such as canteens, child care, summer camps, to accommodate children.

Another problem would also arise. It would appear that the course concentrates on the half-day increase inequalities between children and small children whose parents could afford to fund educational activities in the afternoon.

Found an education system almost identical to Italy. Elementary schools provide, generally 30 hours per week spread over six days. Colleges and high schools, however, for taking classes every morning until 1:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

Questioning necessary

The German model is deeply challenged and the government's objective is to develop full-time schools "French".

The low birth rate has also led to promote the school all day. The explanation is simple: In Germany, mothers must care for children in the afternoon. Coupled with the absence of a system of preschool, these time constraints discourage women from having children. Feminists brag so long since the French education system that enables women to combine work and family.

In 2003, the government has implemented a costly program to develop the institutions operating throughout the day. Some schools do not even have a canteen!

Between 2003 and 2006, the quota of students attending school all day has increased from 9.8 to 17.6% and this rate tends to increase.

In summary, the school system must adapt to changing society to give the best to children and to train responsible adults. It is a constant challenge and a challenge for National Education.

No comments:

Post a Comment