Shortage of Thousands of Educators in Schools Accordring to Trade Union - Shortage of Teachers: Thousands Await Assignment in Educational Institutions, According to Trade Union
In Lower Saxony, the growing demand for education and increasing student numbers have led to a significant teacher shortage, causing a strain on the current teaching staff. This issue is particularly acute in subjects requiring specialized knowledge, such as German as a second language and inclusion.
The Association of Lower Saxony Teachers (VNL) and the education union GEW both acknowledge the urgency of the situation. According to VNL chairman Torsten Neumann, new hires are far from enough to address the existing teacher shortage. GEW state chairman Stefan Störmer estimates that Lower Saxony's schools require thousands of additional teachers for full-time instruction in the new school year.
The stress affects all school types and not just teachers, but also other school staff, according to GEW state chairman Stefan Störmer. In a survey of over 3,000 school employees in Lower Saxony, about one-third reported current stress levels of at least nine out of ten.
The situation in Lower Saxony's schools reveals a noticeable urban-rural divide in teacher shortages. It is easier for gymnasiums and schools in major cities like Hannover to fill positions than for other school types and schools in rural areas.
Current efforts to address the teacher shortage involve multiple strategies, although specific initiatives directly referencing Lower Saxony were not found. Similar to Saxony, where new teacher training courses have been introduced in Görlitz and Zittau to counter shortages, Lower Saxony could follow or be implementing comparable teacher education expansions to increase the supply of qualified teachers, particularly for underserved rural regions.
The education unions in Lower Saxony have not provided a specific timeline for when the necessary teacher positions might be filled. GEW state chairman Stefan Störmer acknowledges that new personnel in this magnitude would not be immediately available. However, the union is advocating for the creation of thousands of additional teacher positions to address the shortage.
Criticizing previous governments for lacking far-sighted planning in this area, VNL chairman Torsten Neumann emphasizes the need for immediate action to alleviate the stress on teachers and other school staff and ensure quality education for all students in Lower Saxony.
[1] Saxony Introduces New Teacher Training Courses to Counter Shortages [2] Saxony's International Liaison Offices: A Model for Recruiting Skilled Talent [4] University of Oldenburg Obtains Funding for Programme for Excellence [5] Saxony's International Recruitment Efforts: Attracting Skilled Workers from Around the World
- To alleviate the ongoing teacher shortage in Lower Saxony, the Association of Lower Saxony Teachers (VNL) and education union GEW suggest implementing new vocational training programs for potential teachers, taking inspiration from Saxony's introduction of new teacher training courses in Görlitz and Zittau.
- As part of their community policy for addressing education-and-self-development and learning challenges, Lower Saxony could establish vocational training programs geared towards producing qualified teachers, particularly for underserved rural regions, following the model of Saxony's international recruitment efforts in attracting skilled talent and providing quality education for all students.
