By the age of 12 or so, German students are ready to leave primary school. However, contrary to the common practice in almost every country in the world, in this nation students are treated like recycling material and divided into three different school systems: Whereas the most brilliant are allowed to study in a Gymnasium (or elite school), the average (and less-than-average) end up either in a Realschule or Hauptschule, where they are allowed to mingle with their equally average or (less-than-average) fellow students.
Now, what's the point of redistributing wealth and pretending that everyone is the same, when you are already ingraining in the minds of 12 year olds, that they are either destined to be great or doomed to be a failure? Isnt that the most effective way to promote social inequality? Poor kids, if considered "intellectually disadvantaged" by the end of their primary school, are less likely to get out of poverty once they finish their Hauptschule, than if they had been given the opportunity to go to a normal school. If education is the key to success in a modern society, why are you denying quality education to most of the population?
Germans will agree that "different kids require different education", and will pretend that theres nothing wrong in killing youngsters ambitions at such an early age - but then, those who are in favor of the system are those who have benefited from it. Decisions on the German education system are made by highly-ranked politicians, and perhaps with few exceptions, these will come from a Gymnasium or elite school, perpetuating the system.
I dont know, maybe its only me, but... whats wrong with these people? Why would you cluster your students in good, bad and mediocre? Wouldnt that just make sure that mediocre stays mediocre and bad gets even worse? Without ambitions -and proper role models- kids will never go beyond their limits... and Germany needs to get the most out of their few childern.
