Coalition is considering an additional mandatory teaching hour for teachers (but wants to provide relief elsewhere).

Due to a tight budget in Brandenburg, the ruling SPD/BSW coalition is considering increasing teachers' mandatory teaching hours by one per week. The SPD claims this won't increase the overall workload as teachers will be relieved of bureaucratic tasks. This plan has been met with opposition from teacher unions (GEW and Brandenburgischer Pädagogenverband) who threaten protests, and criticism from other political parties (CDU, Greens, and Left party) who fear it will lead to increased teacher shortages and less effective teaching. The goal of the coalition is to increase the amount of teaching time provided to students.

March 25, 2025

NewsGEW (Education and Science Workers' Union)TeachersMandatory teaching hours

Source: News4Teacher

Article Content

Brandenburg Teachers Face Potential Increase in Teaching Hours: Is There a Better Way?

The education landscape is constantly shifting, and recent news from Brandenburg, Germany, highlights the ongoing challenges faced by educators. A potential increase in teaching hours for teachers is being considered to address budgetary constraints. While the intention is to redistribute workload and alleviate bureaucratic burdens, concerns are being raised about the impact on teachers' well-being and the quality of education.

The Proposal: More Teaching, Less Bureaucracy?

Facing tight financial margins, the coalition in Brandenburg is exploring the possibility of increasing teachers' mandatory teaching hours. The aim is to offset this increase by reducing bureaucratic tasks, ensuring that the overall workload remains the same.

"It is not about increasing the weekly hours," stated SPD parliamentary group leader Björn Lüttmann. "It is about reallocating time within the working hours towards more time in the classroom and less time on bureaucratic tasks."

Currently, teachers in Brandenburg teach 27 hours per week at primary schools and 25 hours at secondary schools, comprehensive schools, and gymnasiums. Adding an additional hour would bring the level of weekly hours in line with Berlin.

Concerns and Criticisms

The proposal has met with mixed reactions. While some recognize the need for adjustments, concerns have been voiced by teacher unions and opposition parties.

The GEW (Gewerkschaft für Erziehung und Wissenschaft) has announced protests, arguing that increasing mandatory hours and reducing bureaucracy cannot simply be offset against each other.
The Brandenburg Teachers' Association expressed outrage, fearing that this policy would not lead to more effective teaching.
The Green Party called the proposal a "policy of educational poverty," while the Left Party fears more class cancellations and fewer teachers.

Is There a More Innovative Solution? Enter BlitzFast.

These challenges highlight the need for innovative solutions in education. What if we could reimagine the educational experience, focusing on individualized learning, reduced stress, and future-proof skills?

That's the vision behind BlitzFast, a fully AI-powered online school designed to revolutionize learning.

BlitzFast: Shaping the Future of Education

BlitzFast is more than just an online school; it's a paradigm shift in how we approach education. Founded by Engin, a father of four, BlitzFast addresses the limitations of traditional schooling by providing:

A Flexible and Secure Learning Environment: Learn from anywhere, at your own pace, in a safe and supportive online community. Inspired by challenges such as mobbing and violence, that Engin's son experienced.
A Curriculum for the 21st Century: Beyond the standard curriculum, BlitzFast integrates vital future skills like entrepreneurship, AI, digital literacy, critical thinking, and sustainability.
Personalized Learning: Our AI-powered platform adapts to each student's unique learning style and pace, ensuring they grasp concepts thoroughly and effectively.
Empowering Future Leaders: We aim to equip children with the practical skills needed to thrive in a rapidly evolving world, whether as founders, innovators, or problem-solvers.

BlitzFast offers families the freedom to live and learn anywhere, whether you are an expat or a digital nomad, you don't have to compromise on your kids' education.

Be Part of the Revolution: Join Our Exclusive Test Group

BlitzFast is currently in development, and we are seeking an exclusive group of parents to help shape the future of our platform. Your feedback will be invaluable in refining our AI-powered learning systems, practical projects, language exercises, and creative subjects.

Ready to join the movement and give your child a head start in the 21st century? Sign up for our newsletter and become part of the BlitzFast test group! Sign up here!

Key Takeaways

Traditional education systems are facing challenges related to funding, workload, and curriculum relevance.
Innovative solutions like online schooling and personalized learning are gaining traction.
BlitzFast offers a compelling alternative, focusing on future-proof skills, individualized learning, and a secure environment.

Don't let your child be left behind. Discover the BlitzFast difference today! Learn More and Sign Up!

This article is based on content from News4Teacher. Visit the original source for more information.

Similar Articles

"WirLernenOnline" expands its offerings: Free educational materials from kindergarten to adult education

The text is about "WirLernenOnline" (WLO), a free German digital education platform that originated during the pandemic. It offers educational materials for various levels, from kindergarten to adult education. WLO is expanding and improving its offerings by adding "editorially reviewed" content not only for schools but also for early childhood, vocational, and higher education. The platform gathers open educational resources (OER) from various sources, providing categorized collections of learning materials. Users can search for content or use specialized portals focused on specific subjects. WLO encourages community participation through content contributions and editorial involvement. The platform is managed by edu-sharing.net, which aims to make learning resources accessible to a wider audience.

April 1, 2025

German Teacher Award: These are Germany's Teachers of the Year – "representing tens of thousands"

The German Teacher Prize 2024 ("Deutscher Lehrkräftepreis") celebrated teachers and school leaders for their dedication, innovative concepts, and positive attitude in creating effective learning environments. The prize emphasizes the importance of commitment, passion, and the courage to embrace change in education. The article highlights Magnus Osterkamp, a teacher known for his positivity, and Andrea Franke, a principal who transformed a challenging school into a thriving learning space. The award recognizes educators who make a significant impact on their students and schools, often working with limited resources, and encourages teachers to take responsibility and implement changes. The application phase for the 2025 award is now open, seeking nominations for innovative teachers, teams, and school leaders.

April 1, 2025

Homework gone! Citizens' Council for Education and Learning hands over recommendations to the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs (KMK).

The "Bürgerrat Bildung und Lernen" (Citizens' Council for Education and Learning), initiated by the Montag Stiftung Denkwerkstatt, is advocating for significant changes in the German education system. Composed of over 700 randomly selected citizens, the council proposes abolishing homework and replacing it with in-school practice, increasing student autonomy in learning, and implementing mandatory early language support through a Kita (daycare) obligation. They presented these recommendations, along with others such as postponing grades until the 9th grade, to the Minister of Education of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Simone Oldenburg, who currently chairs the KMK (Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs). Oldenburg sees the recommendations as valuable input. The council believes these changes would create a fairer, more relevant, and future-oriented education system, promoting equal opportunities and individual talent development. Other critics point to issues like teacher shortages and dilapidated school buildings as more pressing concerns.

April 1, 2025