Schule der Integration / St.Pauli
Reporter: Annette Scheiner
Camera: Reinhard Hornung
Editor: Romana Meslitzer
0.10
The Reeperbahn in St Pauli, Hamburg, has changed from a romantic old sea port to a den of gambling, sex and alcohol.
0.32
During the day, it is an unassuming place. For many children, its also the route to school, as it is for Vivien and Kamal. St Pauli is one of the poorest areas in Germany, cheap rents have attracted a lot of foreigners and immigrants.
0.46
100 meters from the Reeperbahn the boarding house of Friedrichsstrasse school is nesteled amnong the houses. The multicoloured walls reflect the cosmopolitan nature of the area. More than 70% of the children at this school have another mother tongue than German.
1.08 Annegret LOTZKAT
teacher and Project Leader
The children in St Pauli are on the whole quite poor. Maybe their parents are unemployed, or theyre living on social benefits or their parents aren't very well educated. Theres a number of parents who are illiterate. I dont have a number in my head, but its worse among the Roma children.
HIP HOP
The school has embraced the challenge, and come up with creative solutions. During the lunch break, turkish Ebru and Ziya dance to hip-hop. The programme is called Youth for Youth and is by all measures a roaring success. Ebru was considered difficult and unruly. Since he was given responsibilties, he has disproved all of the first impressions.
2.10
The biggest success here, however, is the student company. It works in two areas. For the past couple of years the children in classes 7 9 cook for each other each day its a different class.
2.30 Reporter:
What are you eating, and is it tasty?
Student:
Yes! Its a fishburger! Its tasty!
2.39 OT Annegret LOTZKAT,
Project leader
The students have a strong traditon of practical education, and, of course, we have a wonderful building, in an attractive place with views of the port. And it inspires the children, they think we can do more. Weve built a project here where the children learn to work and get their bearings in Germany. And its great that the children not only learn practical skills, familiarise themselves with informaton and work as part of a team and just generally learn, but they also develop a respect for work.
3.19
Today is a big day. This evening there is a birthday party, and the children have to cater for 80 guests. Ten starters, 2 soups, 4 mains and 7 desserts are lined up for the menu.
3.58
Gina has had many prolems with the school. She has been here from the start. Now she has graduated, and got a place on a training scheme.
4.08 Gina
I made lots of contacts, and have deveolped lots
Reporter:
Whats your job?
Gina:
Im a trainee baker.
4.14
For many German families the high percentage of immigrants here is why they send their children to school in St Pauli
4.30 Gina's father
We deliberately put our children to school here because we wanted to live here, and we wanted to show them what life is really like. One of our sons had 17 diferent nationalities in his class that wasnt here, it was at another school in St Pauli. We think its ggod and healthy, because we live in a multicultural society, and so children should experience that in a school, which is partially protected, then theyll be ready for the society that confornts them when they graduate.
5.03
Roma Bilent has already forged a career as a cook, but he still comes back to the Student company, even though there is only one expenses allowance.
5.17 Bilent
I think I owe the school something. A bit of knowledge, a bit cooking skill, I want to give that back to the students.
5.40
Roma children are a key part of the Student Company - as many as 50% of the pupils involved are Roma. They have learned sociability and festival celebrations from their families, and here they feel supported by rigid structure and rules.
6.00 Gerald PUMP-BERTHE, Schule teacher
There are a few that have already adopted our culture and lifestyle and then when they come here, they are just taking the last step to help them assimilate into this society in the future. And there are others that I would say perhaps need one or two more generations before they might totally be part of society here.
6.30 Axel Wiest, Social-Teacher
The one who are hardest to integrate are the Roma, because they feel like their own lifestyle and culture are threatened by the school, because the children end up cleverer than their own parents and because theyre afraid, perhaps rightly so, that the more they integrate into this society, the more their own values will be lost
6.57
Even in normal school hours, the school looks for ways to integrate the children. Many children find it difficult learning a third language, such as english. Vivien, from hamburg, finds it a little easier than the rest.
7.12
Friend Kamal comes from a Serbian Roma family. He takes us back to his house. On the way he shows us one of his favourite places - at the harbour. Here, under the palms, he often day dreams about the future. Theres little time for that at home, Kemals mother lives with her 5 children in a small rented flat. The family earns around 700 euros a month, including social benefit. The father dies 9 years ago from cancer.
7.59 Kemal
In August I want to go and get a job working as a lighting technician, for Prokon. Thats what I really want to do.
Reporter:
Why arent you doing it now?
Kemal:
Because I first have to get my German nationality, and then I have to complete my education
8.27
Like others at the school, Kemal sits divided between his own culture and traditions and a modern meritocratic society. Kemal will almost certainly take German citizenship at some point.
8.46
Kemals mother eekes out a living using the ancient gypsy art of card reading. But they have to be the right cards.
8.56 OT Mother
These are gypsy cards. I dont really use tarot cards, if I use them, I get a headache, or feel bad. So thats no good. But when I use these cards, no matter what stresses etc I have, all the stress goes away.
9.13
In the school kitches everything is almost ready. Just the fruit salad is yet to be finished off.
9.19
Then the team can bring the delicious banquet to the canteen.
9.30 Gina's Father
Im full of respect for the foreign children, or the immigrant children, many of them are highly gifted they can converse in their own language, but many of them can speak German better than the German children. Thats potentially very useful, theyre our future. Its very important Germany becomes a multicultural country.
10.05
In the lovingly prepared festival hall, another group are preparing their final touches the piano tuner is almost finished. Tonight the discord will be gone, but into the future they may still remain.
10.20 OT Axel Wiest,
Socialteacher
The situation is tense these days because schools have to maintain a certain educational standard, and if they dont achieve it they might be closed down, and schools often are threatened with closure. This is one of the concerns these schools live under. The other is that class sizes are often really big, from 25-27 children per class, and with classes this size it is difficult, if not impossible to get good results.
11.02
On the night everything goes like a dream. The Elbe , twinkling in the evening light makes a stunning back drop. Two boys from the 5th class, Omar from Cuba, and Turkish boy Taner, play a serenade for the guests. A few months ago the school secured sponsorship for the violinists.
The school companyall play their part - and with enthusiasm. Gina hands out wine, Vivien serves the food and Kamal waits the tables.
For today, a recital that hits all the right notes.
Reporter: Annette Scheiner
Camera: Reinhard Hornung
Editor: Romana Meslitzer
0.10
The Reeperbahn in St Pauli, Hamburg, has changed from a romantic old sea port to a den of gambling, sex and alcohol.
0.32
During the day, it is an unassuming place. For many children, its also the route to school, as it is for Vivien and Kamal. St Pauli is one of the poorest areas in Germany, cheap rents have attracted a lot of foreigners and immigrants.
0.46
100 meters from the Reeperbahn the boarding house of Friedrichsstrasse school is nesteled amnong the houses. The multicoloured walls reflect the cosmopolitan nature of the area. More than 70% of the children at this school have another mother tongue than German.
1.08 Annegret LOTZKAT
teacher and Project Leader
The children in St Pauli are on the whole quite poor. Maybe their parents are unemployed, or theyre living on social benefits or their parents aren't very well educated. Theres a number of parents who are illiterate. I dont have a number in my head, but its worse among the Roma children.
HIP HOP
The school has embraced the challenge, and come up with creative solutions. During the lunch break, turkish Ebru and Ziya dance to hip-hop. The programme is called Youth for Youth and is by all measures a roaring success. Ebru was considered difficult and unruly. Since he was given responsibilties, he has disproved all of the first impressions.
2.10
The biggest success here, however, is the student company. It works in two areas. For the past couple of years the children in classes 7 9 cook for each other each day its a different class.
2.30 Reporter:
What are you eating, and is it tasty?
Student:
Yes! Its a fishburger! Its tasty!
2.39 OT Annegret LOTZKAT,
Project leader
The students have a strong traditon of practical education, and, of course, we have a wonderful building, in an attractive place with views of the port. And it inspires the children, they think we can do more. Weve built a project here where the children learn to work and get their bearings in Germany. And its great that the children not only learn practical skills, familiarise themselves with informaton and work as part of a team and just generally learn, but they also develop a respect for work.
3.19
Today is a big day. This evening there is a birthday party, and the children have to cater for 80 guests. Ten starters, 2 soups, 4 mains and 7 desserts are lined up for the menu.
3.58
Gina has had many prolems with the school. She has been here from the start. Now she has graduated, and got a place on a training scheme.
4.08 Gina
I made lots of contacts, and have deveolped lots
Reporter:
Whats your job?
Gina:
Im a trainee baker.
4.14
For many German families the high percentage of immigrants here is why they send their children to school in St Pauli
4.30 Gina's father
We deliberately put our children to school here because we wanted to live here, and we wanted to show them what life is really like. One of our sons had 17 diferent nationalities in his class that wasnt here, it was at another school in St Pauli. We think its ggod and healthy, because we live in a multicultural society, and so children should experience that in a school, which is partially protected, then theyll be ready for the society that confornts them when they graduate.
5.03
Roma Bilent has already forged a career as a cook, but he still comes back to the Student company, even though there is only one expenses allowance.
5.17 Bilent
I think I owe the school something. A bit of knowledge, a bit cooking skill, I want to give that back to the students.
5.40
Roma children are a key part of the Student Company - as many as 50% of the pupils involved are Roma. They have learned sociability and festival celebrations from their families, and here they feel supported by rigid structure and rules.
6.00 Gerald PUMP-BERTHE, Schule teacher
There are a few that have already adopted our culture and lifestyle and then when they come here, they are just taking the last step to help them assimilate into this society in the future. And there are others that I would say perhaps need one or two more generations before they might totally be part of society here.
6.30 Axel Wiest, Social-Teacher
The one who are hardest to integrate are the Roma, because they feel like their own lifestyle and culture are threatened by the school, because the children end up cleverer than their own parents and because theyre afraid, perhaps rightly so, that the more they integrate into this society, the more their own values will be lost
6.57
Even in normal school hours, the school looks for ways to integrate the children. Many children find it difficult learning a third language, such as english. Vivien, from hamburg, finds it a little easier than the rest.
7.12
Friend Kamal comes from a Serbian Roma family. He takes us back to his house. On the way he shows us one of his favourite places - at the harbour. Here, under the palms, he often day dreams about the future. Theres little time for that at home, Kemals mother lives with her 5 children in a small rented flat. The family earns around 700 euros a month, including social benefit. The father dies 9 years ago from cancer.
7.59 Kemal
In August I want to go and get a job working as a lighting technician, for Prokon. Thats what I really want to do.
Reporter:
Why arent you doing it now?
Kemal:
Because I first have to get my German nationality, and then I have to complete my education
8.27
Like others at the school, Kemal sits divided between his own culture and traditions and a modern meritocratic society. Kemal will almost certainly take German citizenship at some point.
8.46
Kemals mother eekes out a living using the ancient gypsy art of card reading. But they have to be the right cards.
8.56 OT Mother
These are gypsy cards. I dont really use tarot cards, if I use them, I get a headache, or feel bad. So thats no good. But when I use these cards, no matter what stresses etc I have, all the stress goes away.
9.13
In the school kitches everything is almost ready. Just the fruit salad is yet to be finished off.
9.19
Then the team can bring the delicious banquet to the canteen.
9.30 Gina's Father
Im full of respect for the foreign children, or the immigrant children, many of them are highly gifted they can converse in their own language, but many of them can speak German better than the German children. Thats potentially very useful, theyre our future. Its very important Germany becomes a multicultural country.
10.05
In the lovingly prepared festival hall, another group are preparing their final touches the piano tuner is almost finished. Tonight the discord will be gone, but into the future they may still remain.
10.20 OT Axel Wiest,
Socialteacher
The situation is tense these days because schools have to maintain a certain educational standard, and if they dont achieve it they might be closed down, and schools often are threatened with closure. This is one of the concerns these schools live under. The other is that class sizes are often really big, from 25-27 children per class, and with classes this size it is difficult, if not impossible to get good results.
11.02
On the night everything goes like a dream. The Elbe , twinkling in the evening light makes a stunning back drop. Two boys from the 5th class, Omar from Cuba, and Turkish boy Taner, play a serenade for the guests. A few months ago the school secured sponsorship for the violinists.
The school companyall play their part - and with enthusiasm. Gina hands out wine, Vivien serves the food and Kamal waits the tables.
For today, a recital that hits all the right notes.