Strategies for Reducing Student Absenteeism through Learning Resources - Strategies to Lessen Interruptions in Education
Hey there, let's chat about a fresh strategy to tackle a common issue in secondary and comprehensive schools across Saxony-Anhalt!
The Plan: Another Round of Helping Hands
In a bid to decrease class cancellations, 200 new teaching assistants will join schools that are particularly hard-hit by the teacher shortage. This is an interim measure between teaching staff and educational employees, dubbed "pedagogical teaching assistants." As stated by Education Minister Eva Feußner (CDU), these assistants will aid in lessons and provide support across various task areas. At least one such staff member will be found per school.
This State Needs More Teachers
The teaching pool at secondary schools is significantly shallower compared to other school types like primary schools or grammar schools. The Ministry of Education reports that the most recent data, from 3 February, indicated an 87.6% teaching supply, compared to a general 94.5% across all school forms. This statistic demonstrates the proportion of mandatory lessons that can be delivered within the curriculum. The coalition aims for a teaching supply of 103% to account for sick leave, parental leave, and professional development.
## Class Coverage and Focus
Minister Feußner emphasized that the main responsibility of the teaching staff should be to focus on mandatory lessons. By amending the School Act, a new category, "pedagogical teaching assistants," will receive organizational and legal parity with teaching staff.
Deployment Flexibility
The role of pedagogical teaching assistants can be broad ranging. Their duties might include supervision, school organization, practical learning days and school trips. Minister Feußner notes, "There are many deployment options."
Eligibility and Training
Only external applicants without existing permanent positions in the state school service will be accepted. The positions will primarily target social workers, social pedagogues, educators, and therapeutic educators with at least three years of pedagogical experience involving work with children. Minister Feußner expects a high volume of candidates, similar to their last call for educational employees.
What's Next?
The jobs will be funded using money from unfilled teacher positions. Keep an eye out for the job advertisement, which will be available soon. The first pedagogical teaching assistants could start as early as the next school year.
- Teacher Shortage
- Saxony-Anhalt
- Eva Feußner
- Comprehensive School
- Secondary School
- CDU
- BMBF
- To address the persistent teacher shortage in Saxony-Anhalt, particularly affecting comprehensive and secondary schools, the Education Minister Eva Feußner (CDU) has proposed an innovative strategy – increasing the number of pedagogical teaching assistants to provide support in various task areas and lesson delivery.
- As part of this plan to boost the learning opportunities and education-and-self-development of students, aspiring pedagogical teaching assistants, including social workers, social pedagogues, educators, and therapeutic educators, with at least three years of relevant experience, will undergo vocational training to qualify for these positions.
