Forty-three extra classes added to primary schools in Bremen
Bremen, Germany – Bremen's Education Senator, Sascha Karolin Aulepp, has announced the establishment of 43 additional classes in primary schools, surpassing the previously authorized number. To manage these additional classes, Aulepp plans to continue relying heavily on lateral entrants and career changers, while also enlisting students in teaching roles.
The unexpected influx of students is primarily attributed to immigration since the Ukraine conflict. The start of the current school year saw approximately 2,200 more students enrolled compared to previous years, marking the highest number of first-graders since 2015. Aulepp anticipates a substantial increase in student population for the 2023/2024 school year as well.
Overwhelmed primary schools in densely populated districts are particularly affected by the high student numbers, with some districts starting the school year with five cohorts instead of the originally planned two or three.
In stark contrast, the city of Bremen remains in a favorable position despite its tight educational situation. Approximately two percent of teacher positions, totaling 100, remain unfilled. These positions span various school forms, including vocational schools.
To alleviate the teacher shortage, Aulepp intends to leverage lateral and career changer programs such as the Neighborhood School to bring more teaching staff on board. Initiatives like this will provide a platform for individuals initially starting in teaching to obtain practical experience.
At the beginning of this school year, 453 people were employed by the Neighborhood School Bremen for substitute teaching in the city's public schools, as well as 32 master graduates who are yet to complete their references. In addition, there are 52 individuals with qualifications such as the first or second state examination waiting to fill teaching roles.
The Back to School program has received over 260 applications from lateral and career changers that are now being processed. Aulepp expects 70 of these applicants to join the schools in the subsequent academic year. Moreover, fresh hires are also needed to teach the 43 additional classes, which remain vacant after the summer break.
To facilitate the entry of educators with foreign qualifications, Aulepp notes that a language level C1 is sufficient for teaching.
In a special Senate session scheduled for Friday, Aulepp intends to present a personnel development concept and seek approval. The concept projects a potential need for up to 3,300 new teachers for Bremen schools by 2030.
To maintain programs like Senior Partners in School and Superheroes Need Superpowers, the education department plans to continue collaborating with the finance department until the end of the fiscal year. The programs, initially set up to support students post-pandemic, have been allocated around 2 million euros from the general budget.
Additionally, the autonomy of Bremen's schools will be increased by allowing them to open their own checking accounts in the future. Schools will receive additional hours to cover increased administrative burdens under a framework agreement with banks. Schools were previously reliant on school associations or private individuals providing checking accounts for trips, as per Aulepp.
With the increasing student population due to immigration, particularly from the Ukraine conflict, Bremen's Education Senator, Sascha Karolin Aulepp, is planning to fill the vacant teacher positions by enlisting lateral entrants, career changers, and even students in teaching roles for the upcoming school year. In his special Senate session on Friday, Aulepp will present a personnel development concept that aims to address the potential need for up to 3,300 new teachers for Bremen schools by 2030, addressing both the workforce demand in education-and-self-development, and the general-news of school overcrowding.
