Hello.
I'm from Germany and yesterday I had a conversation with a friend who's a teacher and teaches children from grades 5 to 10.
What she told me about the current generation of students is absolutely alarming. Children are starting school in grade 5 and can no longer do the most basic things, like coloring, cutting, reading, dressing themselves, etc. On top of that, many children are incredibly disrespectful and gaslight the teachers at every opportunity.
She blames the parents, saying there are far too many who don't care or who are themselves setting a bad example. Also overusage of devices like smartphones and tablets.
I was shocked and am really scared for the future. Oh and keep in mind she is working at a school for kids who leave elementary school with bad grades.
I'm wondering how Germany could have messed up its education policy so badly and whether there are similarly alarming developments in other EU countries. What's the reason for this?