THE educational philosophy that has enabled the German Swiss International School (GSIS) to grow into one of Hong Kong's finest academic institutions has been very aptly summed up as 'two systems, one school', by Eberhard Schierschke, headmaster.
'We have wide versatility as there are two streams - German and international - under one roof. In spite of all this we are proud to function as a single unit, for there is a high degree of co-operation and integration between the staff and students in both the streams,' Mr Schierschke said.
A unique academic experiment that has proved its success over the last 25 years, the school has students from 35 nationalities in keeping with Hong Kong's cosmopolitan nature. And to ensure that it operates as one cohesive academic unit, the school has deliberately chosen to use one language, English, for administration.
'We have worked a miracle of sorts by combining two of the most important European educational systems - those of Germany and Britain - under one roof. At the same time, we bring the whole school community together through co-operation and integration. We do things which are quite extraordinary,' Mr Schierschke said.
'In the German stream classroom teaching is done in German, but inter-school communication is predominantly in English. This gives the students in the German stream a chance to improve their English. We have also borrowed the British system of holding school assemblies, and these are always held in English,' he said.
'Despite the obvious apprehensions in people's minds the 'two systems, one school' philosophy does work in actual practice. Giving up part of your traditional line of thinking for the sake of co-operation with the 'other' stream and at the same time avoiding the danger of watering down either of the two systems is quite an achievement.
'With the horizontal and, more importantly, the vertical breakdown of the school it demands the ability and willingness of all those involved to compromise wherever and whenever possible,' he said.