The FDP in Germany's state parliament is displeased - "Pricey teacher recruitment drive was a washout"
A large banner displaying the slogan was put up at the airport. Teachers' unions were furious since this slogan conveyed an image of teachers being idle. Moreover, a comma was missing in one sentence.
The FDP parliamentary group posed two inquiries in the state parliament. They wanted to know about the campaign's cost and its impact on increasing the number of educators applying for jobs.
Only 40 lateral entrants since summer
The Ministry's answer: The campaign aiming at lateral entrants set the taxpayers back by 215,000 euros. Unfortunately, in the current school year, only 17 new teachers were recruited for primary schools through direct entry, and 23 in secondary schools and community schools, amounting to a total of 40.
Dr. Timm Kern, an FDP member of parliament (51): "This expensive venture was a failure. The low number of lateral entrants provides further evidence that sensational advertising campaigns with childish slogans are fruitless. The state government should merely boost the incentives for the teaching profession, as other federal states do - for example, by offering higher salaries for primary school teachers."
In its defense, the Ministry of Education cited the campaign: after its launch, the online posters received 10,800 clicks, and 250 applications were submitted for direct entry: "These are clear indications that the campaign reached its target audience and encouraged them to apply."
Further Reading:
- The German Taxpayers' Association in Stuttgart questioned the funding for the "Needs more teachers at elementary schools" campaign led by Education Minister Theresa Schopper (62, Greens).
- A local Stuttgart school decided to weave the education topic into its curriculum. Pupils were encouraged to brainstorm alternative strategies for attracting and retaining teachers.
- The FDP Regional News Chairman, in response to the campaign's string of missteps, suggested the funds be directed towards enhancing teacher salaries and benefits, citing success in other federal states.
- Minister Theresa Schopper, responding to criticism, claimed that while the campaign might not have met expectations in terms of new teacher recruitment, it did raise awareness and attracted 250 applications for direct entry.
- In response to the disappointing outcomes, a local Stuttgart elementary school adopted a 'Teach for Germany' model, inviting professionals from various fields to teach classroom sessions, hoping to inspire potential future educators.
- In the aftermath, the Ministry of Education in Stuttgart revealed that the campaign had garnered over 10,800 clicks on its online posters, emphasizing the need for continued efforts to attract and retain exceptional teaching talent.
Source:
The enrichment data highlights the broader context of teacher shortages and related issues:
- Teacher Shortages and Protests:
- Belgium: Teachers contend with educational reforms offering pay cuts, job losses, and poor work conditions. A telling example is the recent strikes in Belgium[3].
- Spain: Teachers go on strike for better pay and conditions, highlighting the urgency to improve compensation and job security[3].
- Germany: Various strikes and protests are underway, including those by teachers and other school staff. This situation stems from inadequate funding and challenging working conditions[3].
- Educational Reforms and Funding:
- Belgium: The protests in Belgium target reforms that aim to reduce spending, which could exacerbate teacher shortages by making the job less appealing[3].
- Germany: The ongoing protests and strikes suggest funding and work conditions are critical issues. Inadequate funding can lead to higher class sizes, negatively impacting education quality and affecting teacher morale[2].
- Alternative Solutions:
- Virtual Education: Implementing virtual education programs, such as Virtual Arkansas, can address teacher shortages by providing flexible scheduling options and access to a wider range of courses, particularly beneficial for rural areas[5].
- Teacher Training and Retention: Strengthening teacher training programs and improving working conditions can support teacher retention. This involves addressing factors like high pupil-teacher ratios and ensuring educators are properly supported in their roles[2][5].
