Ekkehard roepert
Karlheinz schoofs is pleased about the "new way". If only because "it has to do with grassroots democracy", emphasizes the principal of the ehrenburg grammar school. The impetus to return to the nine-year gymnasium came from the parents in bavaria, karlheinz schoofs recalls. "And the work we have to do with it, we do gladly."
The advantages of the G9 model are obvious to the head of the egf: "in the nine-year high school, we have time to coordinate school and extracurricular activities." During the G8 period, for example, it was not easy to organize a vocational internship "because the week plays into the lessons. Even the exchange trips to spain, poland or italy are more relaxed "when the timetable stretches over nine years". School-based learning experiences now had more room again.
"Because the schools need the maturity", ingrid kafferlein, head of the herder grammar school, was "enthusiastic about G9 right from the start. But although jurgen sauer, the deputy head of herder, has also experienced the disadvantages of the G8 too much, he emphasizes: "there is something to carry on". The G8 model will be replaced by the "double period principle" retained. This rhythmization allows for an exam-free period. The herder will therefore continue to schedule compulsory classes on tuesdays and thursdays, elective classes on mondays and wednesdays, and friday afternoons will remain free. And "another positive" G8, says jurgen sauer: "the intensification lessons help to deepen content and make up for lost time."
No afternoon classes in the middle school and "more freedom of choice" in general – this is ingrid kafferlein's good news for the new G9 generation. One wish remains open, however: "in the future, high school graduates should also have greater freedom of choice." Without lowering the level of graduation, for example, consideration should be given to "whether you have to take a written exam in all three school-leaving subjects", says the herder boss.
No more packed days
"It is of course exciting", says karlheinz schoofs – and is referring to the curricular changes that have been made for the 8th grade., 9. And 10. And for the design of the baccalaureate, the first. "It's still uncertain how far the reform can go in the upper school", says schoofs. He personally would even like to see a return to the performance courses.
In any case, there is now a "coherent package" before, says erhard herrmann, the principal of the frankische schweiz grammar school in ebermannstadt. He also had "only positive" feedback from parents heard.
As a model school in bavaria, ebermannstadt has already tried out giving the students a longer period of time over the past few years: the "plus-schools got one year extra after middle school. That's why erhard herrmann has a clear idea of the contrast between G8 and G9: "especially for schools in rural regions, it means a great deal of relaxation. You don't have to wait for trains and buses and are home in the afternoon." More exercise, more sports, more time for extracurricular activities – the relief in favor of a "better development of young people" the main advantage of G9, says herrmann, is that "afternoons had to be crammed in with G8. Ten hours of instruction a day is something we no longer have to expect of anyone." At the same time, the principal's offices of all three district high schools emphasize that the "fast lane" is the only way to go the possibility of continuing to complete high school in eight years is welcome. In part, the schools wanted it. Principal herrmann says this not only with regard to highly gifted students, but also because of the option of having a second grade in the 11th grade. Going abroad for a year: "in the normal G8, this was hardly possible."
This "fast lane with its two speeds" is easy to organize, says karlheinz schoofs. Even before the legal return to G9, he had asked around in the collegium. And 88 out of 90 teachers had voted for the G8. It's still unclear who or what will decide in the future whether a schoolchild chooses the fast track: the will of the parents? The testimony?
"This is completely new territory, says jurgen sauer. In any case, thanks to the mentoring and tutoring system, the fast lane is a winner. Whereas ingrid kafferlein believes that the elective G8 "will not be a big hit" in terms of demand.