Booming Teacher Training Statics in Schleswig-Holstein: More Students, More Graduates
Rise in aspiring educators pursuing teaching degrees - The count of individuals who shifted from being students to becoming educators has risen.
It's a educator's market in Schleswig-Holstein, North Germany, as student numbers at teacher training universities have skyrocketed by over 7,000 since the 2012/23 academic year, according to the Schleswig-Holstein Ministry of Education. Minister of Education Dorit Stenke (CDU) declared this increase, with graduates numbering 911 in 2023, up from 640 in 2020.
Stenke attributed this growth to the first package of the Action Plan for Teacher Recruitment, introduced in ’23. Regarding the demand for teachers across the country, Stenke remarked, "There's no silver bullet to satisfy the demand." Incoming measures aim to promote more teacher recruitment with innovative solutions like vocational school teachers taking over at comprehensive or primary schools.
The upcoming Action Plan packages are set to include additional incentives, such as offering math, computer science, and art bachelor’s degree holders a pathway into teaching through master’s programs. Furthermore, direct entry for qualified bachelor’s graduates at primary and comprehensive schools is planned.
The Minister of Education is diligently evaluating and refining each measure introduced in the Action Plan's first four packages. Stenke emphasized, "Results need to be visible." If a measure falls flat or doesn't resonate with the intended audience, adjustments or cancellations will follow.
The Ministry of Education forecasts a total of 24,065 positions for the upcoming school year, marking a slight decrease of 163 positions compared to the previous year. However, the number of open positions remains unknown at this time.
Notably, demand for teachers is particularly high in regions like the Hanseatic city of Hamburg. "Our schools are appealing, but the allure of city life draws in many grads," stated Stenke.
Teacher Education 🎓 | Students 👩🏫👨🏫 | Dorit Stenke 👩
In response to the surge in demand for teachers, the upcoming Action Plan packages in Schleswig-Holstein will offer math, computer science, and art bachelor’s degree holders a pathway into teaching through master’s programs, promoting education-and-self-development within the community by encouraging these professionals to become teachers. Additionally, direct entry for qualified bachelor’s graduates at primary and comprehensive schools is planned as part of the Action Plan, further reducing the teacher shortage and increasing online-education opportunities for students.
