San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1888-06-15
GERMANY'S SCHOOLS.
THE GRADES IN THE EDUCATIONAL
SYSTEM OF THE EMPIRE.


Social and Scholastic Distinctions RiGidly
Enforced - Vigorous Discipline Main
tanned - Politeness Toward Teachers.
The Switch as an Assistant-Bad Marks.
Private schools are but few in Germany
compared to their number in this country.
and most parents send their children to
the government schools. These are
divided into various kinds, according to
the studies and to the social conditions of
the students-gymnasia, attended by boys
who propose pursuing classic studies; real
schools. devoted to mathematics and eco
nomical studies rather than to classics
(the word real -studien" means essential,
economical OF polytechnical studies); higher
burger Lools (citizens' schools). where
the prices for attendance are even smaller
than che very modest ones paid in the two
first named. lower burger schools, for sons
of still less wealthy people; and. at last
free schools. whose students pay nothing
The girls have higher daughter schools.
where the instruction and prices are high
est, though the latter are very moderate
indeed Next in rank are the plain
daughter schools; while such young
ladies as cannot pay any school money at
all attend. like their brothers. those
ANONYMOUSLY called free schools
SOCIAL. DISTINCTIONS
You see. there is most orthodox dis
tinction between higher daug 4ierS" and
the girls who must be satisfied with being
daughters" without the adjective. There
being but slight difference between the
extent and number of studies taught in
either kind of school. 1t is plain that the
distinction made is caused by social pre-
JUDGE. The students Of the Ky mnasla are
never at peace with tnose of the real
schools, but admit them 60 be their equals
They treat the boys of the burger schools
with contempt. and this without going
into the details of higher or lower But
for gymnasiast to walk with or talk to
boy of free school. or to have anything
to do with him. except fighting. would be
considered by parents. teachers and com
panions as unbecoming and Extensively
low conduct. The girls. too, have pro-
nounced opinions as to the proper sphere
for higher daughter" or for lower"
one. or for one who is neither higher nor
lower but so exceedingly poor as to be
called free Free from pride and pre-
judice, | suppose
A German boy enters the lowest class
OF the gymnasium, called ''Sexta, when
he is about 8 years of age. The next class
is called "Quinta, then 'Quarta, Ter
tia, "Secunda" and "Prima When he
has toiled through all If these be tries to
pass the 7ery difficult "Ablturienten ex-
amen" He has now an exclusive and
thorough education. AMI may enter q uni
versity If he has successfully passed the
examination he is than allowed to become
soldier That Is to say he would have
to join the army anyway. but when he has
attended the gymnasium or real school up
to "Secunda. be .nters the ranks as q
volunteer. being on-y compelled to serve
during one year and IN Germany to be
forced to De soldier for no longer than
one year may be considered equal to volun
teering In Any other country
| RIGOROUS DISCIPLINE
have mentioned he rigorous discipline
Of German schools This discipline can be
maintained on-y by the co cooperation Of he
parents with he teachers. well regu
lated system If re ward and punishment.
with a careful surveillance holds the boys
under control If = parent does not agree
with some OF the severe penalties inflicted
upon the boy his son Is apt to be expelled
for fear If his undermining the discipline
School begins about a. m At five min
utes past that hour the doors are closed
and those who are late are not admitted.
but punished the next day The boys
await their teachers in their respective
class rooms. When the teacher enters
they all rise as one boy and never think
of sitting down before the teacher motions
them to do so. When he leaves they 90
through the same ceremony. When boy
Is asked question he rises and remains
standing until he is through No student
dare to omit lifting his cap when meeting
anv taachar of the acbool on tn s+-oat