Changes 2011

A change leads to growth

The expected development of the German School Chennai (Deutsche Schule Chennai – DSC) recently reached another level of quality with the step into phase two and into a larger facility. It was not only the areal but also the conceptual progress that bore a change of thinking.

 

Germany: approaches to reform only slowly implemented

Expert groups in Germany worked out ways and methods to reform the educational system. DSC has been already adopting those methods with success since its inauguration in January 2010. The reformation approach includes the merge of kindergarten and primary school under one roof, the interdisciplinary structure of lessons and an inter-year organization of classes in primary and secondary school.
Being a young and privately founded organization, DSC felt strong and free enough to adopt and develop those approaches and take over the leading role within a school landscape that generally advances quite slowly. The central agency for German schools abroad (ZfA) therefore provided support in form of consultation.

 

Scope for further development

It is especially in the area of education where rigid structures cannot compete with the demand for development:

  • The way from science to school is a long one.
  • Books and trainings on new insights and methods are only offered with too much delay.
  • Latest methods will only be established in Germany before they reach the schools covered by the ZfA.

Leading by example, the management of DSC claims that existing reform models need to be applied. Several more reasons were leading to the question, whether DSC would be able to fulfill the very own demand for responsibility and aims:

  • Keeping up the offer of a valuable project-orientated, interdisciplinary and inter-year education;
  • Applying latest effective and activating methods which are scientifically approved;
  • Keeping up the special focus on intercultural conditions that are not necessarily considered in Germany.

The question could only be answered with a clear no. The supervision reaches further than the ZfA is able and willing to cover. Therefore, DSC gives thanks for the support to the ZfA as well as to other formerly supporting institutions like the German Embassy in Delhi and the General Consulate in Chennai. The cooperation with those institutions led into interesting impulses for a further growth of the school.

 

Following existing values, acquiring new partners

Supreme International SchoolsInternational School Association

 

 

 

Still the school is standing in close communication with German universities and institutions as well as other international organisations in the field of education and more than ever it delivers a sustainable input that meets with the expectations of a further development. DSC is on course for further success, continuing the cooperation with existing partners and establishing new connections.

In the end, none of these changes will affect the students:

  • The Thuringian curriculum is still the centre of our education and is only completed by intercultural aspects.
  • All reports and graduations are internationally recognized.
  • Each of the students will benefit from a smooth change to another school after his/her time at DSC.
  • The range of educational offers is much broader and wider than in state schools.
  • Students of DSC will still gain a state of knowledge that is above average.

Finally, as an overall aim, we will continue to impart the joy of learning and maximise results for each and every child.