Skip to content
Learning — Politics — general-news — skills-training — Personal-growth — career-development

Principal of Munich's Main Focus School expresses exasperation: "Simply infuriating"

A Milestone at Guldeinschule in Westend: Celebration Amidst Principal's Call for Change - Outlining Necessary Improvements at the Prominent Educational Institution

,   and  Administrator
3 min read
One Hundred and Twenty-Five Years of Guldeinschule in Westend: Principal Delivers Strong Message....
One Hundred and Twenty-Five Years of Guldeinschule in Westend: Principal Delivers Strong Message. Beyond the celebration of this significant milestone, the principal underscores the necessity for changes at this historically dynamic school in Westend.

Principal of Munich's Main Focus School expresses exasperation: "Simply infuriating"

Unfiltered, Off-the-Cuff Take on Guldeinschule's 125th Anniversary

Cheerful children, acoustically dubious classrooms

When the school bell rings for recess or gym time, the children at Guldeinschule erupt with joy. But veteran teachers groan with apprehension, as they've been dealing with the school's acoustic challenges for years, according to Principal Heike Stark.

Guldeinschule: A Munich institution with a historical touch

Nestled in Westend, this elementary school boasts a rich history, residing in a grand, ornate building dating back to 1900. Munich architect, Theodor Fischer, designed the structure with impressive segmented windows, a historicizing facade, and arches. Despite its age, it remains a beacon of beauty amidst the city.

Population boom, massive class sizes

The massive influx of workers and families in the Westend area during the late 1800s necessitated the construction of Guldeinschule. With a population explosion from 1880 to 1890, the number of residents quadrupled to a staggering 22,000. However, with 60 students initially planned per class, it's hard to imagine such cramped conditions today. The school included a dining hall, basement showers, and a detention room called a "karzer."

A visit from city officials

Recently, on the occasion of the school's 125th anniversary, Mayor Verena Dietl (SPD) and Florian Kraus (Greens), head of the department for education and sports, visited the school. The visit culminated in a program of music, theater, and presentations showcasing the school's special projects, including the class speaker meetings that promote student-led democracy.

The struggle: High numbers of students with diverse backgrounds

"We've received a lot of praise on our anniversary, but the struggle is real," says Principal Heike Stark. Guldeinschule caters to a variety of students with diverse backgrounds, with roughly 65% coming from migration backgrounds. While this diversity presents unique challenges, it's not inherently problematic, Stark explains.

However, one issue arises from the educational gap between teachers and parents, particularly those from Serbia, Albania, Afghanistan, or African countries, who may be unfamiliar with the Bavarian education system. "It's like they're illiterate in the German system," says Stark. Putting together simple school communications in multiple languages can help alleviate some confusion, but it requires significant effort from the teachers.

Parents, understandably, want to engage more with their children's education, but they often require extra support and guidance to better understand the system and their roles. "If we can educate parents on how school works in Munich and what we expect from them, they will approach us differently," says Stark. This understanding helps empower parents to work more effectively with teachers and therapists to help their children succeed.

Supporting a diverse student body: A team effort

Guldeinschule employs 28 teachers, 14 learning companions, and numerous volunteer helpers. Despite these efforts, the school faces significant challenges in providing the necessary resources for its diverse student body, such as speech therapists, classroom assistants, and social workers.

Teachers often volunteer their time to help ensure students have a healthy school breakfast and to maintain basic classroom functions. "We have a clock, but we don't have a time clock," says Stark. "Our working hours are way too high."

Heike Stark reminds us that while schools like Guldeinschule face unique challenges, they also have the potential to make a significant impact on their students' lives with the right resources and support. To provide that support, people can contact the school's support association to offer practical assistance for projects, learning support, and more.

Support Association Guldeinschule

IBAN: DE54 7015 0000 1007 4032 70, BIC: SSKMDEMMXXX

  1. As the school faces challenges in catering to a diverse student body, Principal Heike Stark emphasizes the need for parents to be educated about the Bavarian education system to better understand their roles and work effectively with teachers and therapists.
  2. In the realm of education and self-development, Guldeinschule's teamwork approach involves 28 teachers, 14 learning companions, and numerous volunteers, all striving to provide necessary resources for their students.
  3. Policy and legislation play a crucial role in supporting schools like Guldeinschule, as the lack of resources, such as time clocks, speech therapists, and classroom assistants, pose significant challenges for providing an effective education to their diverse student body.
  4. On the school's 125th anniversary, city officials, including Mayor Verena Dietl and Florian Kraus, highlighted the school's special projects, including student-led democracy initiatives, while acknowledging the ongoing challenges presented by a diverse student body with varying cultural backgrounds.

Read also:

    Related

    Latest