Examining Persistent Allegations of Bullying at Berlin's Carl-Bolle Primary School: Teachers Speak Out
Criticism by Additional School Staff at Berlin Elementary School Increases - Criticism voiced by fellow educators at a primary school in Berlin
Hey there! Let's chat about the ongoing issue of bullying at the Carl-Bolle Primary School in Berlin-Moabit. Initially, a single gay teacher reported facing bullying, with comments like "Gay is disgusting" and threats of eternal damnation. Now, more educators are speaking up about their own experiences of harassment and discrimination.
The Süddeutsche Zeitung has cited multiple teachers currently or formerly employed at the school who have dealt with disrespectful and prejudiced behavior from students without any consequences.
One teacher labeled the situation a "complete system failure," as they had reported incidents of violence, discrimination, and bullying to the school office back in 2018, but no action was taken.
Another teacher shared that a student had threatened them with a knife before a PE lesson. She confiscated the knife and reported the incident to school management, but again, no action was taken. The school management did not initially respond to a dpa inquiry.
This case echoes the Rütli School in Neukölln, which made headlines in 2006 and became a symbol of the failures within the school system. Teachers wrote an open letter about the intolerable conditions that made teaching impossible. Following substantial investments and new staff hires, the school is now recognized as a model project.
The SPD demands answers
Is the Carl-Bolle School experiencing a similar downward spiral? "We have some questions about that," said Marcel Hopp, the education expert of the SPD faction in the state parliament, to the German Press Agency. "Above all, the question is: Who feels responsible in such a case?"
Allegations about the school's conditions must be thoroughly investigated, Hopp asserted. Teachers who have been bullied and reported such incidents should expect someone to stand up for them. "And that didn't happen here," the MP lamented. "And therefore, I see a systemic problem here that we must definitely address."
Both the school management, the school inspection, and the senator for education must contribute to the investigation: "How can it be that several teachers have been reporting such cases for years and nothing happens?"
The Greens call for an independent complaints office
The Greens in the Berlin state parliament also demand accountability. "The internal complaints structures have failed," said Louis Krüger, the spokesman for school policy of the faction. "Therefore, we demand an independent complaints office for students, parents, and employees."
At the school, teacher Oziel Inácio-Stech has allegedly been subjected to insults, abuse, and bullying by students from Muslim families for months, he claims. He also accused a colleague of bullying and false accusations. The school management and school inspection did not support him, even though he pleaded for help repeatedly. He has been on sick leave for about three months.
"A queer teacher was bullied and threatened in Berlin for months - and left alone by the school management, school inspection, and the education administration," criticized Krüger.
The CDU politician will face questions comprehensively in the education committee on Thursday. "Those who bear responsibility may not duck out," said Krüger.
The education administration emphasized to dpa that they are committed to countering any form of discrimination and promoting tolerance and diversity in schools. "We take the concerns of those affected - both children and youth and teaching staff - very seriously and work continuously to clarify the facts and provide appropriate contact persons and support offers if necessary."
Such processes are initially regulated through disciplinary and educational measures and class conferences at school. "If that is not sufficient, further support offers are available."
Parents confirm problems
The issue is being discussed among parents at the elementary school as well: "There are such incidents at our school," said parent representative Lorenz Liebold - and they often go unchallenged. However, this is not because teachers or the school management do not want to address them. There are simply too many cases.
But they cannot all be grouped together. "The big problem is that the student mix does not reflect the resident mix in the neighborhood," said the parent representative. There is a significant separation issue, a social divide, which strongly affects the school. "That's the central point."
The parents' concern is not to blame Muslims or make Islam the problem. "The problem is poverty, inadequate education, and the concentration of children from less privileged households in certain schools."
- The ongoing issue of bullying at the Carl-Bolle Primary School in Berlin-Moabit has led some teachers to question the effectiveness of the school's community policy and insist on vocational training for teachers and school management in identifying and addressing bullying, discrimination, and harassment.
- In light of the persistent allegations of bullying and discrimination at the Carl-Bolle Primary School, political figures like Marcel Hopp of the SPD and Louis Krüger of the Greens are advocating for education reforms, such as the establishment of an independent complaints office and increased investments in education-and-self-development programs, to ensure a safe and inclusive learning environment for all students and teachers.
