...remembered:

former days...

Day #4 in the 'manifesto for a better Britain' challenge. Education.

Slowly I discover some more detailed differences and similarities between Germany and the UK. A nice experience.
I've given up that refence range pretence. Nevertheless I'd like to add just a few words about education in Germany.

But before that, I'd like to quote a passage of another blipper's comment on that topic as a real contribution to the UK challenge. For not talking only about systems in general in my entries but to put an eye on those who don't 'fulfill' the norm, who are special with special needs, for any reason. ~ minxydudette is the lion hearted mum of Taylor, both are having a journal here. Awesome!

'You know yourself that I have a disabled son and I get NO help at all because they have (and still are doing) cut funding and closed down a lot of respite centres. Taylor is fortunate enough to be Mainstreamed (normal school) but 3 of our local Special Needs Schools have been closed to 'save money' then they wonder why parents are getting frustrated & kicking up a fuss. Their kids now have nowhere to go, and the Governments reaction and solution to that? 'Home-School them' it's just wrong on so many levels.

They PROMISED not to raise Student Fees but they did. They cut the EMA Grant (Education Maintenence Allowance Grant) for students whose parents are on lower incomes, then wonder why they are refusing to go to College. A lot of kids go to College's out of their own home town because other places do better courses, but they can't get there because they used to use the EMA for travelling expenses and now they don't get it. How do they expect kids to get a better education if they're making it impossible for them to get to College!?

The Job front is just as bad. Nobody can get a job now-a-days without having hands on experience, yet for them to get that experience they need the Job to get it!'

I really really hope that Taylor will experience the best education he can get and that he will have his place in society as an equal member in future. It would be only fair!

Ok, a few words about Germany. Basically we have a quite good education system in Germany. Basically it's open to everyone, everyone could get her/his chance.
In reality there are cuts, deeper and deeper. School classes are growing unbearably, theachers are missing, the graduation is getting earlier. The tendency is to get kids earlier out of school and students earlier out of uni. They say it's better for them getting younger into their jobs. Um, yes, and the economy is delighted about generations with less and less experiences, even if 'highly educated' (whatever that means with less time for education).
And in reality there are still different educational classes which still not mix too much. The derivation of the parental home has (in average) the biggest impact on the choice of the type of school and then the type of further education. Sadly. The chances are there and it's still not implemented completely in society...
And in reality those who don't fulfill the 'norm' (because kids have to be normed, how should they be educated equally if not? Read it in an sarcastic tone, please), as Taylor, as the highly intelligent F., as more and more kids diagnosed with ADHD are having always a hard time and it depends on the personal motivation of teachers and school staff to give them their chances.

But still, I can be glad being raised here.
Education is the key to a society's development.

A personal note: And I'm really glad living in Marburg. A small town with, in relation to the town, a big university. Having a large amount of young and educated people of many nationalities in town makes it to a colourful, inspirational and challenging place. I learned it to appreciate so much when I got to know other places...

Oh, the foto. The 'education festival' opens tomorrow. Made by university students to open the uni to all inhabitants. Well, a bit hidden. But somehow the educational elite has to learn to get in contact...

Aaaand, I'll be away for doing an info booth on the Southside festival the next days. Hopefully the internet connection will work at some hour of the nights for uploading blips (very likely not). I fear that I can delight you with colourful muddy blips. If it'd not working, there'll be definitely a #5 entry for economy on friday...