Greens: Don't sacrifice teaching quality to teacher shortage

The quality of teaching in Saxon schools must not fall victim to the shortage of teachers, according to the Greens. Green Party state leader Martin Helbig was reacting to plans to qualify so-called single-subject teachers for more teaching and to make it easier to join the teaching profession. The plan is to employ university graduates with qualifications in music and art in the classroom. The "Sächsische Zeitung" first reported on this.

Greens: single-subject teachers must not be a "cheap solution"

Helbig emphasized: "Creative subjects such as art and music strengthen the personal development of young people and are an indispensable part of holistic education. It is good that the Free State of Bavaria recognizes their importance." However, single-subject teachers should not be a cheap solution that pupils end up paying for. "If you want to use them in the long term, you have to ensure they have solid pedagogical training, mentoring and clear quality standards. Otherwise, the model will become an educational lottery."

Helbig said that the shortage of teachers does not justify lowering standards and called for binding rules for post-qualification and mentoring for single-subject teachers. "Piecemeal work alone won't get us anywhere. Saxony needs a reliable personnel strategy for all types of schools instead of patching things up from week to week." It must be clear how many hours of pedagogical training are required, who the mentors are and how quality is monitored.

Minister of Education insists on pragmatic solutions

Minister of Education Conrad Clemens (CDU) explained on his ministry's blog: "Saxony needs pragmatic solutions that really help our schools." The quality of education must be ensured. It is still important to strengthen the attractiveness of the secondary school teaching profession in particular. At the same time, there needs to be more openness to different routes into the teaching profession.