By Stephen Peter
Head of education administration – that’s one of the most thankless jobs in the Berlin state government. The capital has been struggling for years with overcrowded classes, too few teachers and schools in need of renovation. Even the new education senator Katharina Günther-Wünsch (40, CDU) cannot avoid the sad truths.
So that the announcement of the latest figures does not become too gloomy, the senator invited to a press conference on Wednesday in a brand-new elementary school on Conrad-Blenkle-Strasse (Prenzlauer Berg). Lots of light, relaxation room, WiFi, teaching kitchen for 350 students – a real gem for around 50 million euros.
Headmistress Sandra Scheffel (39) in front of the new chic school on Conrad-Blenkle-Strasse Photo: Charles Yunck
But that doesn’t change the fact: Berlin starts the new school year on Monday with old problems. “Currently, very few will sing the praises of the schools,” Günther-Wünsch also knows. The most pressing problem: the huge teacher shortage! In the past few weeks, 3,225 teachers have been hired for 2,444 full-time positions (many work part-time) – but at the same time many have retired or moved to other federal states.
The number of new hires is slightly better than expected, but the deficit of 1,460 FTEs forecast in May is unlikely to decrease significantly. The current status will not be available until September.
Such reading corners invite the students to linger Photo: Charles Yunck
Particularly affected by the shortage of teachers: Marzahn-Hellersdorf, Spandau, Neukölln. This is also due to the “expectations” of the applicants. Günther-Wünsch: “What do they associate with Marzahn?” You have to make certain schools and neighborhoods appealing to the students. But: “No one is forced here!” Consequence: not all schools are equally affected by the shortage of teachers.
According to the senator, there is said to be no risk of hours being lost – the schools could employ freelance staff for short-term vacancies (e.g. teachers from the music school).
“We have to make the teaching profession more attractive,” says Günther-Wünsch. And: She is in talks with the universities so that more young people can study to become teachers. “I am confident that I will be able to present the first results during the school year.”
And the civil servants already introduced by Red-Green-Red? “A measure that needs time to take effect,” says Günther-Wünsch.
Corinna Kraft-Turco (53) works as a special education teacher at the house, taking care of students with special needs Photo: Charles Yunck
In the new school year, more students are learning in the capital than ever before: at general schools, the number rose by around 6,500 to 395,110! There are also 80,180 vocational students (1,100 more than a year ago). One of the reasons for the increase – the immigration of Ukrainian war refugees. Around 7,500 students from Ukraine are now studying at schools in Berlin. Some schools are bursting at the seams and are 180 percent full!
Has Günther-Wünsch, former headmistress, already regretted taking over the position?: “I enjoy the job,” she says. “Yes, he is challenging. I’m surprised how little sleep you can get by with…”