UNO and Amnesty International criticise German education system

[SSShakeTheChi]

For those who read German:
SpiegelComments

So NN admylin, Fink and everyone, what do you think of it all? I was listening to a report on Klassikradio this morning. Seems the FAZ is up in arms but I think there is a fair bit of truth in the criticisms. I don't find the German education system on the whole is centred around best promoting the interests/abilities of the individual child.

We will have them where we're moving to, finknottle, but don't know how long we'll be there. I do sometimes fervently wish HE was an option over here - but no, Schulpflicht.

Sleet and hail sounds even grimmer poor you.

This is all so interesting! Sounds like a good job berolina. Sending you strong sympathetic vibes......... Zap!

We had the snow and sleet and today it's cold but nice and sunny.

Wondering about the Berlin British in fact but bit put off because one Irish mum (DC) told me about porno queens sending their dc there and so on. Not quite what I had in mind for dd TBH. I know a lot of DC kids go there so they'll be coming and going a fair bit too. Will go and have a look at it though, thinking of changing for next year. Just find it a shame that the dc don't learn German properly (1 lesson a week they told me over the phone).

If only I didn't look so much like a jam doughnut... Yesterday I had to get out of the bath and run for the phone, passing the full-length hall mirrors and man oh man oh man....

This whole lack of pastoral care, like you say fink, is what worries me most about the whole German childcare system. Sometimes I wonder if it's just me and I need to breathe deeply and be more laid back. I just don't know.

Well, hopefully dd's class teacher is well again and back at school. I'm going to call her and talk about the social behaviour in our class. Seems really bad but I find it difficult to judge. Dd really wants to change school - but change to WHICH school? Ours has a very good reputation and I really like the Head, the teachers but the children.... Dd is finding really tough. I don't honestly know where we will find a nicer/kinder school here.

Wondering if there is much point in sending her to the Berlin British School or if I shouldn't just take her right out of Germany and just be done with it. Wish I knew what schools in the UK and elsewhere are going to be like and if this aspect (the behaviour of the children towards each other is going to be any better anywhere else). Bet the teacher will think I'm a nutcase ringing about this...

Could someone please tell me what you mean with "pastoral care"?

Fink, could you tell me what the Klassenverband is all about. I have never heard of it before.