The new Minions film, Frisbee in the park or a visit to a car museum: in the last few weeks of school, of course, it was no longer about grades, but about having fun together. Most of the textbooks had been handed in, and there was often no homework left. wasted time? For Henrike Paede from the Bavarian Parents’ Association (BEV), it is clear that “pure leisure activities should not be used as a stopgap at the end of the school year”. “There should also be a meaning behind it and really also a learning result or a learning direction.”
BEV does not want any senseless actions
The parents’ representative opposes what she sees as senseless actions just to keep the kids busy. She thinks it’s right not to give homework. Instead, however, very practical things could be tackled in the class: “For example, students can think about it. It’s very hot in our classroom. What can we do to create some shade? There are lots of options. Can If you research on the Internet, you can get advice from craftsmen. And then you can implement it,” says Henrike Paede from the Bavarian Parents’ Association.
LEV: It’s important to catch your breath
For Birgit Bretthauer from the State Parents’ Association of High Schools in Bavaria, many families first have to catch their breath – especially after the exhausting Corona period, in which a lot was neglected – not just the learning material: Classes five to seven – “they know each other by Not really at all. Now they have the chance to get to know each other, to get to know each other well. That’s good for the children.”
“A child is only really motivated when he’s doing well, when he’s not under so much pressure that he has no way out: I have to learn, learn, learn now. That’s certainly not the last three weeks necessary.” Birgit Brettheuer, State Parents’ Association for Gymnasiums
Catching up on basics continues next school year
The intensification courses in basic subjects would continue after the holidays, said Bretthauer. In the past weeks without grades, team building and taking the pressure off were more important. For state student spokeswoman Marlena Thiel, social aspects have also been in the foreground in recent weeks – even if you have to find a balance to catch up, says the high school student from Haar near Munich: “Many students have not had any school trips at secondary schools, no excursions, Nothing at all. And I think it’s important to focus on this aspect now,” said Thiel.
Ministry of Culture: Excursions or sport are no stopgap measures
The Bavarian Ministry of Education leaves it up to the schools how they deal with the grade-free period. It is there to consolidate and deepen teaching materials, a spokesman told BR. But there is also an opportunity for social learning. Excursions, sports or music events are valuable for school life – and not stopgaps.
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