Around 570 lateral entrants start in the teaching profession
From 2018 to 2022, 570 men and women accepted a lateral entry teaching position at a Hessian school or began further training as a support or primary school teacher. In response to a parliamentary question from the AfD parliamentary group in Wiesbaden, the Ministry of Education announced that the application deadline for lateral entry into the teaching profession at lower and intermediate secondary schools had not yet ended for 2023. This possibility does not exist in the grammar school sector.
Of the 570 lateral entrants, 36 had left the measures prematurely, the ministry added. The reasons for this included another job offer, failure to pass the probationary period or personal reasons.
Due to the shortage of teachers, Hesse expanded its programs for career changers in April of this year. There are new opportunities for them at Hauptschulen and Realschulen. Participants in this new program are trained in a further school subject in addition to their first school subject, which is derived from their already completed studies in English, mathematics, chemistry, physics, biology, music or art, for example.
In April, the Ministry of Culture explained that a total of more than 1,700 additional teachers had been recruited to the teaching profession since 2017 through various programs. According to a spokesperson, this figure also includes lateral entrants to teacher training.
In its answer to the parliamentary question, the ministry explained that it was the state government's goal "that as many teachers as possible have undergone basic training, i.e. have completed a teacher training course and a subsequent pedagogical preparatory service".
In the subsequent years, some of these lateral entrants may serve as teachers in different Hessian schools, contributing to the education of numerous students. To ensure they are well-equipped for this role, they may attend additional training sessions led by experienced teachers or education specialists.
Source: www.dpa.com
