Teachers at Friedrich Bergius School in the Friedenau district, once considered a model institution, have published an open letter describing a troubling situation. The school is plagued by daily incidents of violence, threats and severe disciplinary issues.
Boys in particular display highly aggressive behavior. They engage in fights, humiliate peers, record compromising videos and share them online. Other reported incidents include throwing bottles at students and teachers, setting off fireworks and showing antisocial conduct.
The teachers admit that they frequently have to call the police as they are unable to manage the aggressive students on their own. Most of these students come from disadvantaged or refugee families, and some have little to no knowledge of the German language. Additionally, it was noted that 70% of senior students cannot read time on analog clocks.
In response to the letter, Berlin’s Department of Education announced that it would investigate the situation and propose measures to address the issues at the school.