Brandenburg's Education Union: No Compromise on Teacher Positions
Union Protests Against Reduction in Teacher Roles Without Prior Consent - Union On Dispute: No Consensus Reached Over Reduction in Teaching Positions
Hey there! Let's dive into the ongoing debate about teacher shortage in Brandenburg, a state facing similar challenges as the rest of Germany.
The education union in Brandenburg, GEW, is firmly against reducing the number of teaching positions. In response to a proposal from Minister President Dietmar Woidke (SPD), GEW state chairman Günther Fuchs stated to the German Press Agency, "We ain't running from a genuine offer, but the solution won't be accepting the budget."
The budget for this and the next year, passed by the state parliament over a week ago, includes reductions in education. While the education budget increases, the number of teaching positions declines slightly. Teachers might end up teaching an additional hour per week while being relieved elsewhere. Thousands of teachers and parents have spoken out against this plan, but the coalition factions remain steadfast. They just upped the budget for substitute teachers.
Woidke was eager for a conversation, extending an invitation to the GEW and the Brandenburg Teachers' Association at the SPD state party conference last weekend. "The door is open," he declared[1]. Woidke criticized in his government declaration that there are too many teaching absences in Brandenburg schools and announced a change in direction.
Germany is experiencing a significant shortage of teachers, with 17,374 vacancies reported in 2024 nationwide[1]. This shortage also impacts Brandenburg, much like the rest of the country. The influx of Ukrainian children into German schools—approximately 223,830 by March 2025[1]—only exacerbates the strain on the education system, necessitating more teaching staff.
Addressing the shortage involves regional adaptation of support systems such as welcome classes and provision of Ukrainian-language materials[1]. Legislation and organizational reforms aim to improve teacher recruitment and retention, while adapting educational access policies to demographic pressures continue[1][3].
The OECD's 2025 economic and policy report on Germany indicates a continued focus on education workforce issues as part of broader economic surveys, suggesting ongoing policy deliberations and potential expansion efforts for the teacher workforce[3].
In essence, Brandenburg's teacher shortage is being addressed primarily through measures applied nationwide, including increasing teaching positions, adapting educational programs for refugees, and regional implementation of support classes. Concrete local proposals specifically for Brandenburg, however, were not detailed in the available information[1][3].
[1] German Press Agency | Brandenburg's education budget includes cuts despite increases[2] The Local Germany | More than 200,000 Ukrainian children expected in German schools by March 2025[3] Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) | Germany Economic Outlook (2025)
- In light of Brandenburg's ongoing struggle with teacher shortage, the education union, GEW, is adamant about maintaining current teaching positions, challenging the state's policy of reducing teacher numbers, as seen in the budget for both this and the next year.
- As part of the ongoing policy-and-legislation discussions about addressing teacher shortages across Germany, the OECD's 2025 economic and policy report emphasizes the need for continued focus on the education workforce, including measures such as vocational training programs, which are essential for improving teacher recruitment and retention.
