A German family has been given political asylum in the US because of their refusal to send their children to school in Germany and the subsequent, according to the US judge granting the application, "well founded fear of persecution."
http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/0,1518,674492,00.html Germany does not allow home schooling. The article in "der Spiegel" explains: "Mandatory school attendance is based on "the idea that group learning in school also helps develop social skills," says Martina Elschenbroich, an expert on education law with the Culture Minister Conference, an assembly that brings together education ministers from Germany's 16 states. Children learn how to interact with people who hold different views, which serves as the basis of a democratic society, says Elschenbroich." The German position has been upheld by the European Court of Human Rights in 2006. I am aware that the radical libertarian tradition in the US (and the impossibility of mandatory school attendance for many chidren in the legendary frontier days of the 19th. Century) gives home-schooling a certain cachet. On the other hand, it seems to me that it harbours great dangers in giving all kinds of - sorry to be so blunt - nuts the chance to indocrinate their children with rubbish. Any thoughts? Francis -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups ""Minds Eye"" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected]. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/minds-eye?hl=en.
