Brandenburg Education Minister Britta Ernst (SPD) has awarded the first scholarship for future rural teachers in Potsdam. Of the 23 scholarship holders, 22 received their certificates in person at the State Chancery on Monday, the ministry announced. From 1st October you will receive a grant of 800 Euros per month. These include special training courses, school fairs and a mentoring program.
To do this, the recipients had to undertake an internship, their practical semester, and preparatory service in one of the 53 selected schools. In addition, they will have to work as teachers after graduation for at least as many scholarships as were offered before the semester. According to ministry sources, 15 schools from nine districts are involved in the first phase.
One-time scholarship for teachers in Germany
“The Brandenburg Scholarship is unique in its current form throughout Germany,” said Ernst. “Through the initial contact with the school concerned – staff, students and parents – and with the location, a bond must be formed that lasts in the long run and from which many participants ultimately benefit, especially our students.”
In the first round, 47 student teachers applied for 25 advertising scholarships, of which 23 were selected for primary, lower secondary and special education, the ministry said. Most scholarship holders come from the University of Potsdam, but also from Berlin, Saxony-Anhalt and Saxony. This activity will be continued in the coming years to attract more teachers in schools with special needs.
Criticism of the Left faction: The program is not enough
The left wing of the state parliament has criticized the program as inadequate. Katherine Danenberg, a spokeswoman for Education Policy, said: “It is very short-sighted to help about 25 students after they have completed their postgraduate degree. “We will not even fill the teacher shortage in rural areas.” Rather, more permanent positions need to be created for teachers in the long run. Also, it is important to hire more school social workers and make the work of school nurses safer.
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“In this way, we can bring teachers to areas where they are most needed,” explained Gordon Hoffman, spokesman for the CDU Parliamentary Group on Education Policy. “Anyone who has set foot in the area and knows the benefits there will ideally stay in the area in the long run.”
From RND / dpa