Brandenburg's Education Minister Addresses Teacher Shortage Amid Concerns

The Brandenburg state education system is facing a challenge as the number of teaching positions declines, yet the government assures that the quality of instruction will remain unaffected. Education Minister Steffen Freiberg (SPD) acknowledged potential difficulties for the upcoming school year but expressed confidence that the situation could be managed effectively.

During a recent session of the Landtag's Education Committee, Freiberg emphasized that the overall provision of instructional hours would remain stable, despite the reduction of 345 full-time teaching positions within the state budget. To meet educational demands, teachers will be expected to increase their weekly teaching hours by one, with adjustments expected in other areas to compensate for this change.

The minister noted that while the budget for education is increasing, schools may need to modify additional resources that extend beyond the basic curriculum requirements. He specifically highlighted the importance of securing foundational education in primary schools to ensure that students receive adequate support as they begin their academic journeys.

Protests have erupted from thousands of teachers and parents against these changes, expressing concerns about the impact on various educational programs, including inclusive education and extracurricular activities. Despite this backlash, the ruling coalition has maintained its plans, increasing the budget allocated for substitute teachers to help mitigate potential gaps in instruction.

The Educational Union (GEW) has announced intentions to file a constitutional complaint regarding the additional teaching hour, raising further questions about the implications for the educational system.

Concerns have also been voiced by opposition politicians, including Kristy Augustin from the CDU, who warned of possible negative outcomes for collaborative learning and support programs if the current strategies are implemented. Additionally, Dennis Hohloch from the AfD pointed out that the extra teaching hour would not take effect until later in the academic year, labeling schools as testing grounds for these new policies.

In response to the ongoing teacher shortage, there has been an increasing reliance on professionals entering the education field without traditional teaching credentials. In the 2024/2025 school year, these so-called 'quereinsteiger' made up 20% of the approximately 22,000 teaching staff in Brandenburg. Minister President Dietmar Woidke (SPD) previously acknowledged that frequent class cancellations are a significant issue in schools across the state.