«People want too much at school today»
Kathrin Heuscher: «I think people want too much at school these days. For example, English from Year 3 and French in Year 5 on top of that! Originally, the idea was to encourage children to enjoy the spoken foreign language in a playful way. Now children are expected to master it in writing as well.»
Massimo Scandurro: «It's extreme what children have to be able to do at school these days. As a parent, you sometimes wish they could be children more. But this pressure to perform characterises our entire society. For teachers, it also means additional pressure to get through all the material.»
Manuela Huwiler: «And that in classes where there are more and more children who have difficulties keeping up. Teachers don't have time to help everyone. And there are not enough resources for children who perform well.»
Kathrin Heuscher: «We also have children with special needs. One child refused to go to school because the school was unable to provide the necessary support. We then looked at a public school with smaller classes and more teachers. Of course, the needs can be catered for very differently there.»
Massimo Scandurro: «The integrative model simply overwhelms primary schools. How is a teacher supposed to manage to teach so many different performance levels at the same time?»
Kathrin Heuscher: «It sounds very flowery and nice that everyone can go to the same class. But the system is simply chronically overstretched.»
Marisa Duarte: «Nowadays, you want to cater to each child individually, but I think that's too much of a challenge for both the teachers and the children. In a community - and that's what a class is - you always have to be able to adapt and take a step back.»
Kathrin Heuscher: «This also applies to the parents. Many mums and dads transfer their performance mindset onto their child and thus create pressure. One of our children is currently taking part in a pilot programme without grades. That takes a lot of stress out of the family. As far as I'm concerned, homework could also be abolished. It only widens the level gap between pupils who get help at home and those who don't. It's unfair. That's not fair.»
Perhaps we shouldn't just grumble about the school, a lot of things are going better than when I was at school.
Massimo Scandurro
Manuela Huwiler: «I think the Ufzgi is a good thing. We can talk about what is being covered at school.»
Massimo Scandurro: «Maybe we shouldn't just criticise the school, a lot of things are going better than when I was at school. I see the children today as very independent. Because my daughter learnt languages at school at such an early age, she is now also coping well abroad.»
Manuela Huwiler: «There are many teachers who put their heart and soul into their work. You can tell that they enjoy working with children. I often experienced that differently when I was at school.»
Kathrin Heuscher: «And the children's opinions are also sought, they are allowed to discuss things and are treated as equals. A lot has changed in that respect. And I like that.»
