In this lesson, we shall learn about Albert Einstein's terrible five years which he considered wasted at school in Munich. Here we shall learn how did he manage to leave the school due to which he achieved his goals and we know him as genius today.

1. Albert Einstein at School
By Patrick Pringle

2. Major Characters
Albert Einstein –a student
Mr Braun –a History teacher at Albert’s school
Yuri –a friend of Albert in Munich
Mr Koch –a Mathematics teacher at Albert’s school
Landlady –a woman who rented a room in her house to Albert
Head Teacher –headmaster of the school
Dr Ernst Weil– a doctor who specialises in nerves
Elsa –Albert’s cousin

3. Main Points of the Lesson

4. Albert’s History Class
Mr Braun questioned about the year
in which the Prussians defeated the
French to Waterloo.
Albert didn't see a point in learning
dates and facts.
Teacher felt insulted and taunted
Albert to explain his ’theory of
education’.
Albert is called a disgrace to the
class.

5. Albert’s Theory of Education
He feels there is no reason to learn the
dates and facts but the important thing
is to find out the reason for the
incidents.
He feels miserable at his school due to
traditional education pattern which
doesn't leave any scope for creativity
and expression of ideas.

6. Albert at Quarters of Munich
He found no peace/solace at his living
quarters.
He lived in a small room in one of the poorest
quarters of Munich.
His landlady would beat her children
regularly.
Her husband was quite violent towards her.
The landlady didn't let Albert play the violin.
He complained to his only friend Yuri about
his miserable life.
He hated the atmosphere of slum violence.

7. Albert and Elsa
Albert shared his experience and views
about education, she told him that passing
an examination was an easy thing.
She gave examples of some stupid boys
who had easily passed in exams by merely
rote learning facts like a parrot.

8. Albert and Yuri
Yuri is the only friend of Albert.
Both discussed about the civilized community at
Munich.
Yuri told about a duel in which one student has been
killed.
Albert asked him to find a doctor who specialises in
Nerves.
Yuri fixed an appointment for him with Dr Ernst Weil.
Yuri suggested him to take reference from the
Mathematics Teacher.

9. Albert’s Appointment with Dr
Ernest Weil
Dr was already aware of Albert’s
reason for visit.
Albert was disappointed in the
beginning.
Dr had also come near a nervous
breakdown so he understood Albert
fast.
Dr issued him the certificate for six
months’ break.

10. Mr Koch — Albert’s
Mathematics Teacher
Mr. Koch writes a brilliant reference for
Albert stating that Albert was a genius in the
subject.
Albert is full of gratitude for his mathematics
teacher.

11. Albert’s Last Day in the School
Albert goes straight to the head master
with the certificate hoping that he would
be able to get a break from the school for
some months.
To his surprise the headmaster expels him
from the school due to his unruly
behaviour and disregard for education.
He feels as if the medical certificate was
burning a hole in his pocket because he
could not tell the headmaster how
unhappy he was with their education
system.

12. “Anyways, Albert Einstein goes to
Milan and joins another school. The
whole world knows his journey
thereafter..”
–By Anil Kumar