- GEW sees many problems in schools despite higher pay
Despite an increase in pay for many educators, the Education and Science Union (GEW) sees numerous challenges ahead for the upcoming new school year. A significant improvement in teaching staffing is not yet in sight, said GEW state chairman Stefan Störmer in Hannover. The new school year in Lower Saxony begins on Monday.
Teaching staffing has been a contentious issue in Lower Saxony for years. The latest figure stood at 96.9 percent, with a slight increase. The value varies depending on the type of school. As of August 2023, the teaching staffing rate at gymnasiums was almost 100 percent, while at special schools, it was only 91.6 percent.
Higher pay starting with the new school year
Values above 100 percent indicate that there are teachers available beyond the mandatory offering, for additional services or substitute hours. Many experts consider a value of over 100 percent necessary to ensure adequate teaching provision. According to GEW, an additional 1,300 positions are needed to reach a 100 percent staffing rate in the new school year.
The state aims to counter teacher shortages through higher pay. At the start of the new school year, many teachers will move to a higher pay grade, benefiting around 35,500 educators. In comparison, over 71,000 teachers work at Lower Saxony's general schools. GEW has around 30,000 members in Lower Saxony.
GEW: Higher pay prevents teacher exodus
A full-time employee's monthly salary will increase by several hundred euros. "The pay adjustments were long overdue and will help Lower Saxony avoid a teacher exodus in the long run," emphasized the GEW state chairman.
The state budget for the coming year provides for an additional 2,460 teaching positions to enable all teachers who complete their training in Lower Saxony this and next year to be offered a position.
Most advertised teaching positions are filled
With the start of the new school year approaching, more than 80 percent of advertised teaching positions are filled. As of July 22, 1,207 out of 1,467 advertised positions had been filled, according to the Ministry of Culture. The ministry described this as a good figure and expressed confidence that more positions would be filled in the coming days.
The hiring process will also continue beyond August 1, allowing for further appointments. Minister of Culture Julia Willie Hamburg (Greens) will provide new figures and an overall outlook for the new school year on Friday in the state parliament.
The Association of Lower Saxony Teachers (VNL) reported that certain school types and rural regions have figures below the average when it comes to filling advertised teaching positions. "The consequences can be disastrous for the further academic careers of all students," warned VNL chairman Torsten Neumann.
GEW: Several factors contribute to the crisis
GEW spoke of a high workload for teachers. Sickness rates are rising, many are retiring early or reducing their working hours. "All these are obvious factors contributing to the spreading wildfire," said Störmer.
According to GEW, the number of sick days taken by teachers in general education schools in the state has significantly increased - from an average of nine sick days in the 2019/20 school year to an average of 14 sick days per teacher in the 2022/23 school year.
More lessons for first-graders
The union is also concerned about primary schools. From the new school year, first-graders in Lower Saxony will receive an additional hour of instruction to strengthen their basic skills in writing, reading, and arithmetic.
Matteo Feind, chairman of the state school council, sees the biggest problem in the shortage of teachers. "More pedagogical staff should be deployed, especially at schools with many students who leave without a degree," he demanded. Feind represents the approximately one million students in Lower Saxony.
Despite GEW's acknowledgment of the additional benefits for teachers starting the new school year, they still emphasize the ongoing challenges, stating, "I'm not goinging to sugarcoat it; the teaching staffing issues in Lower Saxony are far from resolved." Additionally, the union expresses concern about the increased workload and sick days among teachers, saying, "It's not just about higher pay, we need to address the underlying issues that are causing teachers to take more sick days and consider early retirement."
