Educating Germany 

After the start of the day being shadowed by the article in the regional newspaper, Suedkurier, many of us were waiting for the trial of the Gorber's to be over.

The Judge had dictated a closed hearing, and the preceding correspondence and attitude emanating from the various authorities was obstinate.

In all reality the feeling among those I know was that there was little hope of anything pro-family coming out of this. They had seen it all before. They had lived it.

The hearing set for 2pm carried on and on into the early evening before being finished for this round, and it is still not a satisfactory outcome. All 6 children were not returned home...only the 3 year old David. A small victory perhaps, or you could even read into it that it is an admission of guilt on behalf of the state. I mean that if, as in the article above, there was any real concern of Mr Gorber killing himself and his children when his wife was in hospital (and this is the first that I have heard of this reasoning) then would they now be returning the youngest and most 'vulnerable' child back into their care. I don't think so. My theory is that this action saves them face.

Mrs Gorber has been out of hospital after suffering diabetic complications for months now.

The older children must remain separated from their parents and siblings, with visitation possibly being extended to weekends, depending on the opinions of the 'experts'. Still no full custodial rights are being returned.

So there will be another hearing...sometime. Not soon enough though for the welfare of the children.

Oh and in case you were wondering....yes, the other children that weren't returned home are school-aged, so the issue of them being enrolled at a state school vs homeschooling has been carefully side-stepped. So perhaps those emails to the school authority are provoking a re-think of the law pro home schooling before the children are returned, again to save face? - just let me indulge in that hope for a minute....aaaaah.

Rebecca is 7, Esther 10, Thea 12, Priska is 15 and Sarai is 17. So why Sarai hasn't been returned home I don't understand either. She is beyond the compulsory school attendance laws and has certain rights over and above the other children. Just like Melissa Busekros when she slipped out her bedroom window on the night of her 16th birthday. Mind you if I were Sarai, I think I would be very concerned for the well-being of my siblings.


So folks....not good news...only 3 year old David is allowed to return home at this time, but no reason for us to give up!

No reason not to turn our hand to whatever will make a difference, while we enjoy the freedom that we have, and think of those who do not.

Thanks to Netzwerk Bildungsfreiheit for the news.