New School Year Challenges: Teacher Shortages and Training Gaps

As the new school year begins, Berlin is facing a shortage of fully trained teachers, with less than half of the 3,000 new hires being fully qualified. The situation is compounded by the presence of career changers, single-subject teachers, and lateral entrants.

While there has been a slight improvement compared to last year, with 690 positions still open, education experts argue that the numbers are misleading. The conversion of positions to other professions, the elimination of trainee hours, and the exclusion of elective subjects and support hours contribute to a total of 1,501 open positions.

Similarly, other regions, such as Northern Germany and Brandenburg, are also grappling with teacher shortages and the need for additional resources, including school psychologists. These challenges are not unique to Germany, as 24 EU countries are facing teacher shortages, particularly in STEM and early childhood education, highlighting the need for comprehensive solutions.