Neglecting education in youth can impede growth and progress in children and teenagers.
In North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW), a significant teacher shortage has been causing a wave of lesson cancellations, posing a significant challenge for families, particularly working parents. According to Sonja Bongers, a representative of the Social Democratic Party (SPD) in NRW, only one in five lessons took place as scheduled in the first half of the 2023/2024 school year, with almost a quarter of the parents reporting multiple weekly cancellations for their children's schools [1].
The root cause of the teacher shortage lies in high demand, difficulty in attracting and retaining teachers locally, and the need for more comprehensive and innovative teacher training opportunities [1][3]. To tackle this issue, Bongers advocates for investing more in teacher training and education, emphasising the importance of establishing strong, local teacher education programs [1][2].
Institutions like RWTH Aachen and the University of Cologne are leading the way with new teacher education programs that combine academic rigour and hands-on practical training. Local partnerships aim to train and retain teachers within the region, increasing the chances that graduates will work nearby. Emphasis is placed on interdisciplinary collaboration and early practical experience within schools to better prepare teacher candidates [1][2].
Bongers believes that this integrated approach will address the teaching shortage sustainably, reduce lesson cancellations, and improve the overall quality of education in NRW schools. Supporting local teacher education hubs and innovative training models is a key part of her proposed strategy [1][2].
However, Bongers' suggestions do not directly address the reported lesson cancellation rate in NRW or the fact that core subjects are particularly affected. Furthermore, the actual lesson cancellation rate may be higher than reported, with more than half of the parents surveyed reporting regular cancellations. Bongers also acknowledges that widespread lesson cancellations, the removal of individual subjects for a semester, and the teaching of lessons by non-specialist staff have become a reality in schools in NRW [1].
To further address these issues, Bongers suggests measures to attract more individuals to the teaching profession, such as better pay, career advancement opportunities, and reducing bureaucratic hurdles [1]. The ultimate goal is to create a stable teaching workforce in NRW schools, ensuring that lessons take place as scheduled and providing a high-quality education for all students.
References: [1] Westdeutsche Allgemeine Zeitung (WAZ), 2023. "Sonja Bongers fordert Investitionen in Lehrerausbildung." [Sonja Bongers calls for investments in teacher training.]
[2] RWTH Aachen University, 2023. "Neue Lehrerausbildung an der RWTH Aachen." [New teacher training at RWTH Aachen.]
[3] University of Cologne, 2023. "Lehrerausbildung an der Universität zu Köln." [Teacher training at the University of Cologne.]
- Recognizing the root causes of the teacher shortage in North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW), such as high demand, difficulty in attracting and retaining teachers locally, and the need for more comprehensive and innovative teacher training opportunities, Sonja Bongers advocates for strengthening general-news, education-and-self-development, especially local teacher education programs, to tackle the issue sustainably.
- To improve the quality of education in NRW schools and reduce the high rates of lesson cancellations affecting especially working parents, Sonja Bongers proposes attractive policies for the teaching profession, including better pay, career advancement opportunities, and reducing bureaucratic hurdles, making politics a crucial factor in addressing the current teaching shortage crisis.
