My kids are going to be attending the local public school. We've been in a back and forth with the school authorities and after much deliberation, they decided that it is better that the kids attend school.
My initial feeling is that to many in Switzerland, homeschooling brings to mind a messy environment, lousy teaching, and dumb kids. It is relatively new and not very common, so I excuse their ignorance, but I do not excuse their lack of looking into a situation before passing judgment. They had already made up their minds that Kaylena was to be sent to the school where the "not-so-bright" children go, or those who choose to only study till 16 and then get an apprenticeship. It is called Realschule and if you go that path, no way you can attend university. So, no checking to see how she is, just "She is going to go there and that's that."
Kaylena went to get tested to determine where she is placed in that school. I brought along her portfolio from the last two years, and she was given a variety of math problems to solve, some typing assessment, some General knowledge and had her German understanding assessed. Needless to say the teacher was very impressed with her portfolio and stated over and over how surprised he was with how bright and advanced she is. He is recommending that she go to the Bezirkschule, which is more academically geared and sets you on the path to Uni. It is also a lot closer to our house.
He ashed me why I was putting her in school when I obviously knew what I was doing and a good teacher, I explained that the law stated I needed some Swiss documentation. I tried getting that a few years back, but the whole system was newly introduced and no one knew what to do. Even students studying to be teachers, found it frustrating as they never seemed to have the proper paper work.
Well, he commented, and I agreed, what a shame it was that a piece of paper would take precedence over the fact that I am a good teacher and have proof of that in my own children. At least that was encouraging for me as our local authorities seem to have their minds set and refuse to do anything other then what the law dictates, though in Switzerland each township is able to work within the law as they see fit.
They could have easily granted us permission to home school, with the children attending the local school for German classes. But the head of Education for our area does not like homeschooling and would prefer to stick to his own preferences and the law then find a solution that benefits first and foremost the children. They are what it is all about anyways. I don't see how anyone who thinks or acts like that, can be an authority in Education.
So, this is how things are for now. I keep my fingers crossed and hope for the best. At least the children will make good progress in their German comprehension.
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