Munich (dpa/lby) - The shortage of teachers in Bavaria's primary and secondary schools is expected to worsen at the beginning of the new school year in September. The schools found out a few days ago, shortly before the certificates were issued, that classes would have to be canceled after the holidays in order to have enough teachers as class teachers. The Ministry of Culture in Munich officially only speaks of possible "selective restrictions on election and inclination offers".
Teachers' associations, on the other hand, see a dramatic situation and fear larger classes, the cancellation of important school offers and the increased hiring of students even as class teachers.
Last week, the Ministry sent a letter to the school authorities through the seven district governments, informing them of the problems. "This letter is simply proof that the ministry is no longer able to adequately equip the education system," says Florian Kohl, deputy state chairman of the Education and Science Union (GEW).
"The Ministry of Education is now asking all schools to plan as little as possible, i.e. to only offer what appears to be absolutely necessary," says Simone Fleischmann, President of the Bavarian Teachers' Association (BLLV). Those responsible on site for the elementary, middle and special schools would now have to fix it.
According to Minister of Education Michael Piazolo (Free Voters), it is not yet possible to say what the supply of teachers will look like at the end of the holidays compared to the school year that has just ended. Personnel planning and recruitment are currently in full swing. "Reliable information on how the teaching will be provided at the beginning of the school year is not yet possible." Piazolo points out that it is difficult to find teachers nationwide. But the money for the jobs is there.
