Increasingly, educators are seen traversing multiple schools
In an article published by Staatsanzeiger, the focus is on teachers and their qualifications. The school year 2023/24 sees a 16.6% proportion of career and lateral entrants at vocational schools, a figure that reflects the dynamic nature of the teaching profession.
Meanwhile, the number of new students starting a teaching degree in the academic year 2023 has increased by 2.4% compared to the previous year, with around 46,400 students embarking on this career path.
However, the article also highlights a concerning issue: Out of the 667,400 teachers in the same year, approximately 29,900 did not possess a recognized teaching certificate. This is a significant number, and it's worth noting that this figure was much higher back in the school year 2015/16, where 20,600 out of 122,500 teachers at vocational schools did not have a recognized teaching certificate.
Interestingly, the article does not provide specific data or explicit trend information regarding the increase in teaching graduates with master's degrees or state exams in Germany over the past few years. While it's known that Germany has a growing number of master’s degree graduates overall, the focus on teaching graduates with these qualifications remains elusive.
Typically, teacher education in Germany involves either a master's degree in teaching-related subjects followed by the state examination and subsequent teacher traineeship (Referendariat), or directly passing the state examination without necessarily having a separate master's degree, depending on the federal state (Land) and university system.
The demand for qualified teachers remains high, and the issue of teachers without recognized teaching certificates is a topic of ongoing discussion. Lateral entrants, who enter the teaching profession without a completed teaching degree, must complete a referral period.
In 2021, around 77,600 out of 739,500 teachers did not have a recognized teaching certificate, a figure that underscores the need for continued focus on this issue. In school statistics, teachers without recognized teaching certificates cannot be identified separately by lateral or career entry.
For authoritative trend data, one would usually consult the German Federal Statistical Office or education ministry reports that publish yearly graduate statistics by field and qualification type.
Ralf Schick, who is associated with the article, can be reached at 0711 66601 185 or via email at his listed address. In the examination year 2023, around 29,000 teaching students passed the final exams, marking a slight increase from the previous year. It's also worth noting that the number of new students starting a teaching degree is lower than it was ten years ago.
This article serves as a snapshot into the current state of teacher qualifications in Germany, highlighting areas of improvement and the ongoing demand for qualified teachers. For a more comprehensive understanding, official governmental education reports are recommended.
- Despite the increasing number of new students pursuing teaching degrees, a significant proportion of teachers lack recognized teaching certificates, indicating a pressing need for career development in the teaching profession.
- To advance their careers and secure education-and-self-development opportunities, teachers may consider pursuing master's degrees or state exams, as the focus on teaching graduates with these qualifications is growing in Germany.
