- 220 young people volunteer at schools
In total, 220 young people are performing their voluntary service in Saxon schools this new school year, especially in rural areas. The voluntary social year in pedagogy has been available since 2013 and was introduced to attract new teaching staff. According to the Saxon Ministry of Education, this offer has developed into a successful model. Eleven years ago, around 70 young people applied, but this year there were almost 400, the ministry reported. In total, 1,650 young people have completed the voluntary service.
"The FSJ Pedagogy is the perfect career orientation for young people considering a teaching degree. It also benefits schools through personnel support. Without this special educational offer, the outlook for teaching staff recruitment in rural areas would be significantly worse," said Saxon Minister of Education Christian Piwarz (CDU). In recent years, on average, 80 percent of volunteers have subsequently begun a teaching degree. Saxony is the only federal state to offer young people the opportunity to gain practical experience at schools in this way.
The Voluntary Social Year in Pedagogy - abbreviated as FSJ Pedagogy - is a twelve-month service in a primary, secondary, or special school or a gymnasium. Young people aged 16 to 26 can perform this service. The tasks are diverse: supporting teachers in the classroom, supervising breaks, helping with homework, assisting with school projects, or organizing events. The monthly allowance for the voluntary service is 330 euros, which will increase to 350 euros from January 2025.
The FSJ Pedagogy is playing a crucial role in addressing the challenges of teaching staff recruitment in rural areas, with many young people choosing to pursue a teaching degree after their service in Saxon schools. Furthermore, the increased number of volunteers participating in the program this year indicates a growing interest and appreciation for the educational opportunities offered by schools.
