Children of the Hessians

[Victor Steiner]

Kuhl had begun almost instantly lecturing Alfred on the benefits of the Hessian educational system, using himself as a shining example of it's rigorous and tough nature, You see, many of the civilian schools want to see everyone pass, so they don't fail anyone, but that means you have people who have supposedly passed, yet know nothing. Our system rewards excellence and obedience, we sort the best from those who are not, and we reward those who succeed

I see Alfred said And how early does this system take children? five years of age? Six?

All children begin school when they are five years old, and they 'pass out' at 20, the last two years are dedicated to specialization of one task or another, for example Navigation.

Kuhl and Steiner continued talking as they wandered down the corridors to the part of the station that housed the schools, while Alfred found Kuhl to be rather arrogant he had to admit the man knew a surprising amount about the intricate details of the Hessian schooling system, including it's changes since he was in it. He knew the curriculum, the different types of exams and the marking schemes as well as what happens to the students once they 'passed out' from the school. In such an ordered society, it was easy to track the movement and progress of each student once they had left the schooling system, a student who was particularly good at physical education would end up in the Hessian ground forces, where he or she would advance his career on the front line, the chances of them changing profession were minimal.

They arrived at the front office of the school complex, Kuhl waved his identification papers in front of the clerk who in turn unlocked the main door for them. This is a secondary school he explained as they walked through the corridors, which were lined with various posters of various clubs students could join, they all had Hessian iconography attached to them somehow, Blood red colours, pictures of victorious Hessian troops marching to new battles or something similar

These are the students we take the most care and pride in, they will be our soldiers of tomorrow you see. We must ensure they are taught properly, I'm sure you of all people can appreciate that.

Oh yes, that's why I'm here after all. Alfred replied. They stopped at a classroom door, Kuhl gave a series of short, sharp knocks before the door opened to a classroom of roughly 25 to 30 children, all smartly dressed in their military style school uniforms. The girls had their hair done up in braids, plats or tight ponytails while the boys hair was all short and above their collars. All the children instantly stood, and in typical military fashion, gave military salutes to Kuhl and Steiner as they entered.

These children are here for your questions Professor, we are their teachers today, if you understand my meaning.
Alfred did understand, and was quite impressed that the Hessian organisation would allow him time with an entire class of children, supervised,
but still that was to be expected. I see. Right then well...where to begin I wonder. he said whilst looking at the suspicious and cold children before him.

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