Saxony-Anhalt is testing a creative method to combat the teacher shortage: students are paid to become teachers.
Saxony-Anhalt to address the acute shortage of teachers in an innovative way. This is reported by “Bild”, among others.
The Otto von Guericke University in Magdeburg is now offering students a fixed salary of 1,400 euros per month for a bachelor’s degree and 1,540 euros for a master’s degree if they commit to teaching in Saxony-Anhalt for at least five years after graduation.
The newly introduced dual study program offers students the opportunity to combine theoretical knowledge directly with practical instruction and thus gain a holistic insight into their later everyday working life, reports the MDR.
Since there is a shortage of teachers, particularly in secondary schools in rural regions, the country has decided to use this incentive to retain young people. According to “Bild”, the university explained: “Initially 30 students are planned for the first round. For the lateral entry master’s degree, an additional 20 study places per year are planned from the winter semester of 2025/2026.”
The course offering is aimed at students who study a combination of German, ethics, chemistry, technology, mathematics or physics. Computer science will also be added next year. The dual course of study takes five years to complete the master’s degree. In addition, students are allowed to choose the school at which they would like to teach.
The initiative specifically refers to secondary schools in the Altmarkkreis Salzwedel regions and the districts of Stendal, Börde and Jerichower Land, according to the Education Minister of Saxony-Anhalt, Eva Feußner. Online applications for the dual study program are possible from May 15th to July 15th.
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