North Rhine-Westphalia

Dortmund (dpa/lnw) – Parents’ satisfaction with the special schools their children attend North Rhine-Westphalia According to a survey, visits are high. In the survey by two parent associations, almost three quarters (73 per cent) said they were “very satisfied” or “satisfied” with their special school. On the other hand, 11.5 percent of parents said they were “dissatisfied” or “very dissatisfied” and 15 percent chose the “somewhat to some extent” option. The results are based on 2,354 responses, as reported by the association in the center and state parents of special schools for mental development and physical and motor development.

The results in detail

Among the reasons why they enrolled their child in a special school, 72 percent said the argument: “At the special school there are smaller classes and more teachers.” Two thirds also believe that their child could not keep up with the material in a general school. And 46 percent of parents said they were sure that “special schools are basically the best kind of school for children with disabilities.” Therapeutic care and special supportive transportation for students—such as a minibus or a taxi

A high level of satisfaction can be seen, among other things, in the relationship with the teachers and the reliability of the teaching times. On the other hand, the standard level of satisfaction with the learning offerings is “moderate”. A minority of 15 per cent of parents are considering moving their child to an inclusive mainstream school. Of all those surveyed, 18 percent said their child had already attended an inclusive school before the special school. “So you know both kinds of schools.”

Children who have a mental or physical disability or who require special support due to their emotional and social development deserve inclusive lessons alongside non-disabled children in regular schools. However, even ten years after inclusion was anchored in school law, mainstream schools often do not have an offer that includes students with disabilities and takes into account their learning needs. have, said the central parents’ association.

Both associations see a clear demand from parents for special schools

The associations clarified that their open online survey was conducted in a “non-scientific context.” The idea is clear: the chairman of the state association of parents of special schools GE and KME in North Rhine-Westphalia, Bernd Klagge, spoke of a “clear advocacy for special schools”. The experimental system of special schools should not be affected. The association requested that it be equipped with the necessary resources.

Eva-Maria Thomas, chairman of Mittendrin, warned according to the statement: “It is time for the state government to finally act in a planned and structured way to provide good quality inclusive education to the area.”

The Minister of Schools, Dorothee Feller, said that the study shows that good work is being done at special schools. The state government is pursuing the goal of providing equal educational opportunities to all students. “The special schools contribute a lot to this, as do the co-educational schools,” said the CDU politician. “A good inclusive school offer and good special needs schools enable parents of children who need special educational support to choose the right offer for their child.”