Elternbildung an der VHS München

Parental education at the VHS Munich

An opportunity for parents themselves to solve their children's school problems

Munich1976

Parental education is necessary in every society. The idea of educating parents so that they learn to solve their own family's problems and not abdicate power, was a revelation for the author.

When a mother told her that she had been to see various psychologists and doctors with her 9 year old boy, Robert, without ever having received help.

The response of the experts was always the same: "We can not help your child. There is not much that can be done. The most important thing is that you are a good mother." She decided to train herself as a therapist for her child.

Although Robert had already attended special school for 1.5 years, he had not learned a single letter. It was decided he should transfer to a school for the so called "mentally handicapped". The mother told me, "As long as I cant help my child, I cant be a good mother to him. I do  not know who to turn to."

Dr. Christel Manske, as part of a community college, has organized advanced training courses for parents whose children have school problems.

The Bildzeitung reported on these parents' courses on April 6, 1975: "Currently, 140 mothers attend such evening classes. For ten two hour sessions you only pay 20 DM. If you are interested - call the Adult Education Center: 28 80 21."