Berlin Education Senator Katharina Günther-Wünsch (CDU) expressed optimism as the new school year began. Speaking to RBB-Inforadio on Monday, she noted a significant improvement in teacher availability: “Three years ago, we had 1,500 missing teachers, and now that number is 500.” While acknowledging that this level is not yet satisfactory, the Senator asserted that they are moving in the right direction.
Günther-Wünsch highlighted that Berlin sees a record number of trainee teachers compared to the last decade. To address attrition, a new flexible master’s degree program is set to launch this winter semester to help reduce the rate of students dropping out. Furthermore, the process for recognizing foreign qualifications is being streamlined. “We can offer civil service status to any new teacher who comes to Berlin and meets the requirements,” Günther-Wünsch stated, emphasizing that all measures are aimed at attracting more teaching staff to the city and retaining them there.
Regarding immediate difficulties, the CDU politician announced that class sizes in primary schools will be reduced this school year. This reduction is possible thanks to the sufficient construction of new elementary schools in recent years. Additionally, she mentioned that the shortage has been addressed in outer districts through “highly individualized measures.”
To tackle the overall problem more effectively, Günther-Wünsch advocated for centralized management of staff distribution. She concluded that this structural change is an issue they must address in the coming years.
