On the Education of Guestworker Children in Germany : A Comparative Study of Policies and Programs in Bavaria and Berlin / Ray C. Rist.

This paper examines two programs for the education of immigrant (guestworker) children in Germany. The Bavarian model bases its program upon the assumption that most foreign children remain in Germany for only a short time, eventually returning to their native countries. Evidence largely discredits this assumption, however. Though providing options for those foreign children who speak German, its primary emphasis is upon maintaining skills in the mother tongue. Immigrant children are given their own schools and are encouraged to stay there. By establishing this type of system, Bavaria is perpetuating the isolation and segregation of its minority population. Conversely, the Berlin (West) model is aimed at the integration of the children of the foreign worker as quickly as possible into the German language classroom. In contrast to the Bavarian program, the Berlin model tends to overemphasize integration. Cultural integration is so strong that no recognition of the national background of students is tolerated. Consequently, the foreign student dropout rate is quite high. Both approaches can be challenged on their basic assumptions and educational practices since neither acknowledges the multicultural nature of German society. (Author/JK)

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