There are many news reports and blog posts about a young German girl, Melissa Busekros, removed from her family because she is home schooled. The majority of what I’ve read in blogs is really just copies of what someone else has said or copies of newspaper reports. Here are a few quotes with some original thought.
Blog Mom Is Teaching said: “Home schooling has been illegal in Germany for many years, Adolf Hitler created the bans on home education in order to force every child into the public school system, which at that time was nothing more than giant brainwashing camps for the Nazi cause. Though Hitler is gone those laws remain in effect. Melissa was forcibly removed from her home and placed in a psychiatric institute for having “school phobia” and her parents here stripped of their rights.”
Worldwide Home Education News said: “The psychologist and professor, who interviewed Melissa busekros concluded that she is absolutely normal and healthy and has a strong personality.”
I’m surprised that I haven’t been able to find any comments from Australian home schooling advocates and commentators about this I thought there would be comments from at least some.
Woops I did find this on Education Choices – a copy of a worldnetdaily.com report “German authorities who sent 15 uniformed police officers to take custody of a 15-year-old girl who committed the crime of being homeschooled now have suggested a solution that, in their minds, would “resolve” the situation: the parents should give up custody of their other five children.”
Another comment from worldnetdaily.com, “”Apparently, Germany has decided that it can determine when and where the children go to school;”
Is it up to governments or parents to decide where and when children should go to school? I think it’s up to parents. I’d hate to think of my children being taken away from me because we choose homeschooling. I wonder if this is just an old law which some are taking advantage of or whether it represents a more general feeling against home education. I doubt that Australia would ever go down this track.
It is a scary situation isn’t it. I certainly hope the best for this poor family.
Well, if you have a look at the origins of the school system we use now, you’d recognise that it’s miraculous to be able to educate your own children. <sarcasm>They should all be jammed into Volksschulen as per the Prussian Reform Movement.</sarcasm> Until then, enjoy the run you have.
There is some good writing in this subject here, and about Australia in particular.
Looks like trouble is coming your way after all.
For a broader understanding of the home education climate in Germany and what we each can do about it please visit educatinggermany.7doves.com
We can all help make a difference so that Melissa is the last one to be persecuted!
Thanks for all the comments and interesting links.
I really don’t see the Queensland govt’s new system or the requirements in any part of Australia heading down the same track as Germany though. See what you think here.
I loved the quote here “A family is an educational establishment!”
It looks like Melissa will be allowed to stay at home now that she is 16!