- More than 90% of teachers in Hamburg are permanently employed
In Hamburg, most teachers don't have to worry about their jobs - 91.4% are employed on an unlimited basis. The education authority in Hamburg announced this. In the 2023/2024 school year, there were 15,855 full-time positions for teachers in the city's state-run general schools, which is 267 more than the previous year. "It's a key priority for us to secure permanent employment for teaching staff and keep the number of temporary contracts as low as possible," said Senator for Education Ksenija Bekeris (SPD). The education authority generally offers unlimited contracts or civil service status to teachers.
"Temporary contracts are only used in cases of illness, parental leave, maternity leave, and other absences." Last year, 3,001 teachers had such contracts, almost all for half a position. 381 of them were able to continue working beyond the summer holidays of 2024 and did not face summer unemployment. Often, these temporary staff are trainees, students, pensioners, or those waiting for a referral place. Temporary hiring is intended to prevent classes from being canceled.
The high employment rate of teachers in Hamburg, with 91.4% having unlimited contracts, contributes to job security within the education sector. As stated by Senator Bekeris, the education authority aims to minimize temporary contracts, utilizing them only for circumstances such as illness or leave.
