Understanding School in Germany

It is simply not enough to find a good
school. It is also the responsibility of parents
to educate their children.
3.1
According to various studies, many parents do not
spend enough time with their children.
Parents are especially important for the development of a child, particularly
in the first few years after birth. Nevertheless, studies show that on average
parents do not spend enough time with their children. Spending meaningful
time with children does not mean sitting in front of the television and
eating meals together, but rather playing games together and conversing
with each other.
A UNICEF survey revealed that one in three young people wished to spend
more time with their parents. Mothers of 12 to 16 year-olds help their
children with learning about 4 minutes each day and fathers spend only
about 2 minutes each day helping their children learn. 1)
3.2
Your child must do his or her homework, not you!
You do not have to speak perfect German or be good at mathematics,
however, you must see to it that your child does his or her homework.
It is important that you ask your child about his or her homework or monitor
them while they do their homework. If your child continues to have
difficulties with homework, you should organise after-school tutoring for
him or her.
3.3
In some countries, it is only the schools which are
responsible for educating children. In Germany, children,
parents, and teachers all sit in the same boat.
In some countries, parents entrust the education of their children solely
to the school. In many Asian countries, for example in India or China,
teachers are highly esteemed and revered. They are role models and
persons who command respect and in school matters their
decision is final.
In Germany, the responsibility for a formal education lies with all three:
teachers, pupils, and parents!
1)
Cite from: Adolf Timm: Die Gesetze des Schulerfolgs. Das Fortbildungsbuch für Eltern. Seelze-Velber, 2009. cf. p. 21.
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