- Freiberg wants to continue as education minister
Brandenburg's Minister of Education would like to continue in his post after the upcoming state election. "That depends on the decision of the voters. After that, there will be government formation and the decision of the Minister President on how to staff his cabinet," Freiberg said in an interview with the "Der Prignitzer" newspaper (Monday edition). But if the offer were extended to him again, he would accept it.
Freiberg took over the position last year as State Secretary from Britta Ernst (SPD) when she resigned from her ministerial post. She cited lack of support from the SPD parliamentary group as the reason for her resignation in the conflict over the search for teaching staff.
Freiberg also faces the shortage of teachers, but he sees initial progress: More people could now imagine working as teachers in Brandenburg.
Moreover, some teachers are delaying their retirement for the next school year. Freiberg had initiated this model. "But I know that a three-digit number of colleagues are negotiating a longer commitment to the state service with the state school authorities," the Minister told the newspaper.
Steffen Freiberg and his wife expressed their interest in attending the minister's post-election celebration, as they have been supportive of his educational reforms. During their meeting, they discussed the potential impact of the teacher shortage on the education system in Brandenburg.
