“The level of education is falling dramatically. The system is in disrepair,” is the devastating diagnosis of Maymol Devasia-Demming, Managing Director of the Alliance for Education and Learning (ABL). The association is committed to improving educational opportunities for children and young people. Shortly after the start of the new school year, it is already clear that there will be a number of students of all ages in Ratingen who will need support. The ABL is therefore looking for educational sponsors.
The first requests for educational sponsorship are already on the table. “After a year at secondary school, students, parents and teachers often realise that there are deficits,” says Devasia-Demming. In fact, however, gaps then become apparent, the origins of which often lie a long time ago.
“Children are now moving from kindergarten to primary school poorly prepared,” says Christiane Fentross, who coordinates reading mentoring. The deficits that exist at primary school age, for example in reading or text comprehension, are a common thread throughout the entire school career. Around 170 volunteers support the students from primary school age onwards. But there are never enough of them. Demand is constantly increasing.
“Hardly any child today can get by without tutoring,” says Ursula von der Linde, education sponsor, reading mentor and co-founder of the ABL: “For many families, financing is difficult or even impossible.” Even subsidies from the education and participation package are far from sufficient to bring the young people to an adequate level of education.
There are also structural problems in the school system. “The development of a young person should actually be seen as a whole, from early childhood education to entry into the job market,” says Devasia-Demming. In fact, there is a power struggle between three ministries. “There is a shortage of teachers everywhere,” adds Fentross. Many teachers are already working to their limits. The school system is relying more and more on volunteers. The lack of space in schools is also becoming more and more acute. Students can hardly find places to retreat to or places to learn at school. “We are urgently looking for rooms that our educational tandems can use,” says Fentross.
A vicious circle develops for the students. Constant failures eat away at their self-confidence, they are unmotivated, feel like failures, do not dare to take on new tasks, miss their school leaving certificate and have a bad start in their professional life. The Alliance for Education and Learning wants to break this spiral.
After primary school, during which the ABL supports them with reading mentoring, new challenges await the children in secondary school, and these are far from exclusively related to the school material. A new environment, a new system and new classmates shake up the order they have known up to now. It is helpful for some students to know that they have someone at their side who can offer a little support – independent of teachers and parents. The ABL is currently looking for people like this.
“We are looking for educational sponsors for secondary level one, i.e. grades five to ten,” says Devasia-Demming. Applicants who decide to take on this type of voluntary work need not fear that they will not be able to cope with the school material. “Educational sponsors are good for the children,” the three women know from many years of experience. The stability in the lives of young people is increasingly faltering, and the number of those struggling with psychological problems is also increasing. “Educational sponsors provide mental support, motivation, build self-confidence, encourage people to take control of their own future, and show appreciation. They are invaluable.” This also lays the foundation for academic performance.
The ABL does not leave its educational sponsors alone, supports them in every situation, enables them to exchange ideas with one another and also provides learning materials. “Many,” says Devasia-Demming, “grow into the learning material with their sponsored children.” It is not uncommon for such a close relationship of trust to develop that the educational sponsors remain by their protégés’ side even when they are looking for a training place. It fills them with pride to see what “their” young people have become.
Anyone who can imagine lending a hand to a young person on their way to a self-determined life can find out more in person. The ABL will have a stand at the Volunteer Mile on September 14th, from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. around the Church of St. Peter and Paul. Further information, contact persons and contact details are available online.
