Commencement of the new academic year - vacant educator positions persist

In Schleswig-Holstein, the teacher shortage is becoming increasingly noticeable in many schools. This issue has been a point of contention for Bernd Schauer, the state manager of the Education and Science Union, who has criticised Minister Stenke for failing to address the overload of teachers, the teacher shortage, or the high number of school leavers without a degree.

As the new school year approaches, starting on September 8 for most schools and a week earlier for those on islands, around 500 teaching positions are being cut. This has led to teachers switching subjects or giving up courses, particularly in natural sciences and technology, to compensate for the shortage.

The Ministry of Education in Kiel has yet to provide concrete numbers on unfilled teacher positions, as they are still in the hiring process. The situation has left students fearing that measures to plug gaps with lateral entrants and shortened training could negatively impact the quality of teaching.

Despite these concerns, Minister of Education Dorit Stenke asserts that school principals can rely on staff planning for the coming school year. However, at the beginning of the 2025/26 school year, almost all teacher positions in Schleswig-Holstein were filled, with only 51 vacancies remaining statewide, mostly in general education schools. The open positions are concentrated especially in the districts of Segeberg, Dithmarschen, and Pinneberg, while university cities like Kiel and Flensburg have fewer hiring problems.

The continuous increase in the number of students over the years, coupled with the decreasing number of teachers, has further exacerbated the situation. The Ministry of Education's substitute fund, replenished this year, allows schools to quickly employ substitute staff and ensure teaching coverage in case of illness, incapacity for service, or employment bans during pregnancy.

The Education and Science Union views the current situation as putting even more pressure on schools. No information has been provided about the rehiring of teachers who were temporarily released before the summer holidays.

In light of these challenges, the quality of education in Schleswig-Holstein schools remains a pressing concern for both students and educators alike.