As of late, the pupils at the Willy Brandt Vocational College in Duisburg-Rheinhausen are taught life skills and how to plan their lives. The reason for this is that pupils also face the problem of resignation after many setbacks, for instance, when looking for a vocational training placement.
According to headmaster Helmut Richter, the aim at the vocational college was to predominantly concentrate on the conveying of occupational competences, but the Rheinhausen staff repeatedly observed that the pupils had significant deficits as regards planning their lives, not least with respect to their choice of occupation. "Yet one's occupational activity constitutes an important factor for a happy life." In order to get there, though, the pupils needed help. "Many take their first steps towards a profession with us", says teacher Anke Roeßing. "However, they still are very much without orientation and perspective."
This is exactly where the new school subject, so far offered as a pilot project on a voluntary basis, comes into the picture. For pupils face also the problem of resignation after many setbacks, for instance, when looking for a vocational training placement. According to Richter, "Often, young people do not actively try to shape their lives but rather let themselves drift through life."
This, too, is counteracted by the lessons in happiness. They convey how to determine objectives for oneself and how to subsequently achieve these and which intermediate steps are required to this end. "90 per cent of goals one seriously sets for oneself will be achieved."
But it is a popular saying that money alone does not bring about happiness. Therefore, Richter's curriculum does not focus on career alone. The topics of life partner, family and friends are also part of the lessons in happiness, as are hobbies, health and fitness. "The pupils are to experience also physical aspects and good food and drinking habits."
Thus, one of the lessons is to not only find sustenance in fast food, but rather to learn how to cook. The lessons teach also that culture, for example, a visit to the theatre, is good for one's well-being. When ultimately the final mark appears on the certificate, the teenagers are to be able to at least answer the question of "What do I want to do with my life?"
After the trial period, the new addition to the curriculum is to become a permanent feature as of the summer. As yet, though, it has not been determined what to call this new subject. "Because I am not quite happy with the name of 'Happiness'", says Helmut Richter.