In Germany, first-graders receive gifts, and in the Netherlands – a transport subsidy
According to the newspaper 'Segodnya,' in Germany the school year begins in late August – early September and there is no fixed day for this event. The day is determined each year by the federal authorities depending on the start of the rainy season, so that children can stay in the sun longer.
In addition to textbooks and school uniforms, German children prepare a large cone for Knowledge Day – a 19th-century tradition. During the holidays, six-year-old first-graders, together with their parents, glue together a cone-shaped paper bag and decorate it with appliqué and drawings. Parents put a gift inside for the first-grader, who then takes a commemorative photo with the cone and only after that tears open the paper.
In primary school, German students do not receive grades. At the end of their schooling, the teacher can recommend which type of school the student should attend. The least capable are sent to a Hauptschule. All others, depending on their inclinations, go to a Gymnasium, Realschule, or Gesamtschule.
School education in Germany is free until the 9th grade. 'Of course, we buy all school supplies ourselves. But in Germany, there is a child benefit – about 200 euros per month. Parents receive it until the child starts earning on their own,' Ukrainian immigrant Sergey Oskalenko told us.
Spanish children go to school in late September – early October. The school year ends in mid-June. There are no diaries or grades in notebooks, and if parents do not bother to find out how their child is doing, no one will inform them of successes or problems. Children in Finland and Sweden are already at their desks; they began gnawing on the granite of science as early as August 15.
In the UK, most children start state primary schools at age 5, and then at age 11 move into secondary classes of the same school or transfer to a college. At the parents' discretion, in the first year children can study English, mathematics, history, geography, music, industrial technology, and art (several to choose from).
'In London, the school year can start on September 3 or 4, and not necessarily on a Monday. Most often it's in the middle of the week, probably to avoid overwhelming children right away. The first school day proceeds like a regular lesson,' shared Olga Johnson, editor of the website knowabroad.com. 'My son started school at 2.5 years old. Actually, the first year is nursery, like our kindergarten, the second year is pre-reception, then reception, and from age 5 (the compulsory age when a child must start learning) the real school begins as we understand it.
In a private institution, the school provides all supplies – down to the pen; we only bought the uniform – trousers and shirts, a sweater with the school logo (for winter); shorts and a T-shirt (for summer). Plus a tie, socks, cap, jacket, raincoat, a document folder, and a gym bag. For girls, instead of trousers and shorts, a pinafore dress or skirt.
The uniform is bought in specialized stores that know the design of each school in London. But it is also possible to buy second-hand at a sale in your own school, with the proceeds going to charity. In state schools, it is enough to buy a sweater with the logo and a folder.
From acquaintances' stories, in such schools the level of preparation is much lower, there are no homework assignments. All the stories about children in English secondary schools not knowing how to multiply – that is true if the school is state-run. Therefore, if parents want to give their child a proper education, they need to hire tutors – i.e., pay for education. Meanwhile, in state schools, holidays are several weeks shorter than in private schools.'
To get into a good English private school, you need to submit documents a year or two before the intended start date. You can enter at age 5 (the compulsory age for starting school), but it's better to start with the school's kindergarten, as it will be easier to stay on and enter the school itself. In some private schools, even three-year-old children undergo interviews and tests. A private school costs $35,000 a year.
In Geneva, Olga's family had no problems when their 3.5-year-old daughter entered first grade of a private school – no tests or interviews, just pay the first installment. Here the school year started on August 28. There is a school uniform, but it is not mandatory. The essentials: a white collared shirt/T-shirt, dark bottoms, black shoes, a sweater with the school logo, and a folder. For field trips, a cap with the school logo is mandatory.
In the Netherlands, children start preparatory classes at age 4, and the authorities strictly monitor this – at age 3, parents receive a notification that they must enroll their child in school. This is very convenient because kindergarten here costs up to 800 euros per month, while most schools are free. If the student's family lives far from the school, they can apply for a transport subsidy.
In the first grade, Dutch children are taught the basics of reading and writing, and logic. A feature of education in the Netherlands is an emphasis on languages. Each school teaches English, plus one or two foreign languages. That is why the Dutch are considered a nation of polyglots in Europe. Also, swimming lessons are mandatory – in a country with many canals, it is considered that every child should be able to stay afloat. At some slides and attractions, there is even a warning that without a swimming diploma you cannot go there.
'Buying all school supplies and a backpack costs 200-300 euros. We have no school uniform and no fees. There are also no homework assignments – everything is covered in class,' says Dutchwoman Marike Hommers.
Based on materials from Segodnya.ua