Berlin and Brandenburg face teacher shortages at school start

Berlin and Brandenburg face a challenging start to the new school year, characterized by record-high student numbers and significant teacher shortages. Berlin reports approximately 500 missing teachers, while Brandenburg faces over 300 vacancies. Brandenburg Education Minister Gordon Hoffmann described the period as the ‘most difficult school year ever,’ noting that student numbers in the state have reached a 20-year high.

In Berlin, Education Senator Katharina Günther-Wünsch expressed optimism, noting that the teacher deficit has decreased from 1,500 to 500 over the last three years. To mitigate the shortage, schools are expected to utilize students and substitute teachers. The city is also implementing a flexible Master’s program to reduce dropout rates among teaching trainees.

Regarding infrastructure, Berlin has invested over seven billion euros in its school system over the last decade through its building offensive. This investment has resulted in 62,000 additional school places, including 41 new school buildings and 119 modular expansion buildings to accommodate growing student populations.