School chaos in Nippes: Veronica Ferres and Krautmacher cause laughter!

School chaos in Nippes: Veronica Ferres and Krautmacher cause laughter!

Things could soon get very strange for the Cologne parents. On July 24th at 8:15 p.m., ZDF will show the new improv comedy “Other Parents – The 1st Class,” which will now be shown in viewers' living rooms. This colorful story is all about the challenges faced by parents who set up a primary school for their children in Cologne-Nippes. The unconventional headmistress Mrs. Marx (played crazy by Veronica Ferres ) and the strict teacher Walter Kleefisch (convincingly portrayed by Henning Krautmacher ) on improvisation that leads to authentic and often surprising dialogues. While Ms. Marx is enthusiastic about the support of her school children, Kleefisch sees her as more of a threat to old traditions. So here two worlds collide, which escalate into a chaotic teacher's room.

The themes that run through the plot are the teacher shortage, dilapidated school buildings and the behavior of “helicopter parents”. Ferres believes teachers should be more valued and better paid, while Krautmacher calls for a push to overhaul the school system to take into account students' individual talents. When preparing for the role, Ferres accompanied school principals in their everyday lives, and Krautmacher had to get used to the improvised format. This creates not only entertaining scenes, but also a connection to the reality of school education in Cologne.

A look at Nippes

Nippes is not only the setting for the filmic adventures, but also a district with its own colorful social structure. The Nippes Museum is located here, which not only provides political education, but is also a contact point for many migrants. With a high proportion of foreign families, the museum offers a wide range of integration and support services. Intercultural projects and school aid are provided that contribute to education and social policy participation. Around two thirds of the visitors are migrants, usually young women and girls - an impressive sign of the importance of education and integration in the region. The Nippes Museum works closely with over 60 schools in Cologne and offers learning opportunities for all ages and status groups.

The new series also reflects the developments in Cologne's educational landscape. The challenges that parents in Nippes experience are anything but new, and the problems are viewed from different perspectives. The focus on intercultural educational approaches is clearly visible in the context of migration and diversity. This is also where the theory of intercultural and diversity pedagogy comes into play. These concepts aim to promote the cultural uniqueness of migrants and create a recognition of differences. Individual schools have already made progress through programs such as “Quality in Multicultural Schools” to implement diversity-promoting measures, which will also be incorporated into the material in the “Other Parents – The 1st Grade” series.

Memories and outlook

But not only current topics are addressed. The actors' personal school years are also discussed. Ferres thinks back to the wonderful and at the same time challenging experiences, while Krautmacher remembers his relaxed school days with minimal effort and maximum success. In their roles, they not only embody the teachers, but also carry on the memories and hopes of many parents. Both actors show great interest in another season and are open to the possibility of continuing to spin the stories of the Nippes parents.

So on July 24th at 8:15 p.m. it's worth turning on the TV and taking a look at the chaotic and funny experiences of parents in Cologne-Nippes. The series offers both entertainment and a critical look at the education system - a successful mix that stimulates the body and mind.