Educators who work in secondary schools may find it simpler to move to an elementary teaching position.

Learning or instruction. - Educators who work in secondary schools may find it simpler to move to an elementary teaching position.

The Thuringian Education Ministry is proposing changes that would make it easier for gymnasium teachers to transfer to primary schools. These plans, coming from the office of Education Minister Helmut Holter (Left), will be discussed in a special Education Committee session on Thursday. Obtained by the German Press Agency, the plans entail enabling gymnasium teachers to cross-career into primary schools without experiencing any disadvantages like recognition of professional experience. The ministry will need to negotiate with the Education Committee for this regulation to be implemented.

The conditions for this transition include teachers being assigned to two subjects in the primary school schedule; one subject has to be either mathematics or German. Additionally, teachers must have at least a year's worth of professional experience. These conditions also apply to teachers who want to switch to a vocational school.

By making it easier for teachers to switch schools, the goal is to allow them permanent employment in their new school type. Moreover, they'd also be eligible for leadership positions, says the Education Ministry.

Furthermore, graduates with a master's degree from a university of applied sciences will be allowed to undergo further training to become teachers, provided they can prove they've met the required achievements in two teaching subjects. Previously, there was no civil service option for this group, but this is expected to change, which could result in higher earnings.

Thuringia has been grappling with a critical shortage of teachers for years, with a significant lack of teachers in rural areas and primary/comprehensive schools. To make the profession more attractive, the state government is reintroducing civil service for teachers. By making this move, the red-red-green government intends to increase the appeal of the profession and enhance its competitiveness among other federal states when it comes to recruiting teachers.

Read also:

1. The proposals from the Thuringian Ministry of Education, led by Minister Helmut Holter, involve facilitating the transfer of gymnasium teachers to Erfurt's elementary schools, as reported by the German Press Agency.
2. The Ministry of Education has suggested a special meeting with the Education Committee to discuss plans that would allow teachers with experience in secondary schools to teach in Erfurt's primary schools without facing disadvantages.
3. Helmut Holter's Ministry aims to enable teachers to switch from secondary to primary schools in Thuringia, providing them with permanent employment and eligibility for leadership positions.
4. The BMBF (Federal Ministry of Education and Research) may need to collaborate with the Education Committee to implement regulations that would make it easier for teachers to transition from Erfurt's gymnasiums to primary schools.
5. This initiative by the Thuringian government is part of efforts to address the long-standing teacher shortage in Thuringia, especially in rural areas and primary/comprehensive schools, by reintroducing the civil service option for teachers, making the profession more attractive and competitive.

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