Education crisis in Potsdam: Parents and teachers defend themselves against cuts!

Education crisis in Potsdam: Parents and teachers defend themselves against cuts!

In Brandenburg there is resistance to the planned cuts in the education sector. Parents and teachers are expressing massive criticism of the state government's decision to reduce the personnel budget by 50 million euros in the coming financial year. These savings could result in the loss of a total of 345 school positions across the country. Gunnar Federspiel, parent representative at the Rosa-Luxemburg primary school in Potsdam, is outraged by politicians' statements and warns of the serious consequences for children's education.

Federspiel reports that four teachers would have to leave the Rosa Luxemburg primary school, while 54 teachers are currently employed there. An additional two teachers could leave the school in the second half of the year. “The cuts would eliminate 15 hours of full-day lessons and offers such as drumming, cooking or school gardens would have to be eliminated,” said Federspiel. Remedial teaching will also be cut by 20 percent, affecting a total of 90 children in “German as a Foreign Language” (DAF) lessons.

Criticism of the government's communication

The state government, consisting of the SPD and BSW, has not clearly communicated the worrying cuts. The Ministry of Education does not confirm the exact figures, but points to adjustments in the process of preparing for the school year. Federspiel criticizes this inadequate communication and fears that the planned measures could lead to an increased shortage of teachers and that teachers could migrate to other federal states.

The parents of the “Primary School on the Seeberg” in Kleinmachnow share this anger and concern. An anonymous teacher at a Potsdam elementary school has also learned of possible teacher transfers, which could further complicate the situation. By introducing an additional taught hour per week, Brandenburg teachers are also faced with new challenges, especially in the case of high levels of sick leave, which could lead to responsibility for supervising two classes at the same time.

Impact on teacher training

The tense conditions in the education sector also raise questions about the further training of teachers. The Center for Teacher Training (ZeLB) at the University of Potsdam offers teacher training courses that are important for prospective teachers. The legal basis for acquiring the teaching qualification is the Qualifications Acquisition Ordinance (BEV), under which certificate studies are carried out. This further training is crucial in order to maintain the quality of the teaching staff despite the current difficult circumstances.

The master's degree program in "School and Education Management", which has been offered since the summer semester of 2018, focuses on the professionalization and qualification of leadership in educational institutions. The aim is to initiate and control sustainable and reform-oriented learning processes. This master's degree program is financed through participant contributions, which currently amount to 1,700 euros per semester.

The challenges in the education sector and the associated cuts place a great burden on schools, teachers and parents. It remains to be seen what further steps the state government will take to maintain the quality of education despite coordinated savings.

For further information on the topic: maz-online.de and uni-potsdam.de.