Erfurt (dpa/th) – In the battle for suitable teachers, independent schools are lagging behind state educational institutions because of the bonuses they can receive. The providers reported “a noticeable pull effect from the special bonuses,” according to a letter from the State Association of Independent School Providers to the Thuringian Ministry of Education. This letter has been made available to the German Press Agency.
As a result, “the independent school authorities are further disadvantaged in the area of staff recruitment,” it continues. Unlike the state, which is responsible for state schools, the independent school authorities do not have the necessary financial resources to be able to offer their teachers comparable bonuses. They also see themselves as disadvantaged because teachers in Thuringia have been made civil servants again for several years. In independent schools, teachers are usually employed.
Ten percent more money possible
Table of Contents
- 0.1 Ten percent more money possible
- 0.2 Goal: no surcharges after changing from a private school
- 0.3 Few bonuses paid out so far
- 1 – How are state-sponsored bonuses affecting teacher recruitment in independent schools in Thuringia?
- 2 How do state-sponsored bonuses influence the recruitment of teachers in independent schools in Thuringia?
Table of Contents
Since 2022, the state has been granting newly hired teachers ten percent of their starting salary as a special allowance for five years if they meet two of these three criteria: subject in need, region in need or type of school in need.
The region of need is the entire Free State with the exception of Erfurt, Weimar and Jena, as well as the districts directly adjacent to these cities. According to the Ministry of Education, subjects of need include physics, biology, computer science, English, sports and art – provided these subjects are not taught at a primary school.
Goal: no surcharges after changing from a private school
The state working group now wants to ensure that such bonuses are no longer granted in the future if the teachers were previously employed at independent schools, as stated in the letter. In principle, teachers can still switch from independent schools to state schools, while a competition-distorting pull effect of the tax-financed special bonuses can be ruled out. “We expect the Thuringian Ministry of Education to ensure that the shortage of teachers at state schools is not remedied through tax-financed distortion of competition at the expense of independent schools.”
Few bonuses paid out so far
Current figures from the Ministry of Education show that only a few Thuringian teachers have recently been lured by the payment of special bonuses, for example in regions with a severe shortage of teachers. In the current year, such payments were granted for 106 civil servants, the ministry recently said in its response to a query from FDP state parliament member Franziska Baum. Last year, the money was approved for 209 civil servant teachers. “In one case, the special bonus was paid to prevent migration, in five cases as part of teacher exchange procedures, and in the remaining cases when new employees were hired,” the ministry wrote to Baum.
Rather, the bonuses seem to trigger free-rider effects: They are often paid to teachers who would have taught in rural areas anyway, for example because of family ties. The chairman of the Thuringian Teachers’ Association, Tim Reukauf, also criticized the bonuses a few weeks ago for precisely this reason. “It’s not like these bonuses are being celebrated in teachers’ rooms.” While teachers newly hired into the teaching profession receive more money, those who have taught in rural schools for decades do not receive any additional money. “This does not really relieve the core team,” said Reukauf.
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– How are state-sponsored bonuses affecting teacher recruitment in independent schools in Thuringia?
Independent Schools Struggle to Attract Teachers Due to State-Sponsored Bonuses
The ongoing battle for suitable teachers has put independent schools in Thuringia, Germany, at a disadvantage compared to state educational institutions. The state’s attractive bonuses, offered to newly hired teachers, have created a “noticeable pull effect” that lures away potential candidates from independent schools, according to a letter from the State Association of Independent School Providers to the Thuringian Ministry of Education.
Financial Disadvantage
Independent school authorities lack the financial resources to compete with the state’s offer, putting them at a significant disadvantage in staff recruitment. In contrast to state schools, where teachers are employed as civil servants, independent schools usually employ teachers on a contractual basis. This difference in employment status further exacerbates the recruitment challenges faced by independent schools.
State-Sponsored Bonuses: A Key Factor
Since 2022, the state has been offering a special allowance of 10% of the starting salary to newly hired teachers who meet specific criteria, such as teaching subjects in high demand, working in regions with a shortage of teachers, or teaching in special types of schools. This bonus is paid for five years, making it an attractive incentive for teachers to opt for state schools over independent schools.
Regions and Subjects in Need
The state has designated certain regions and subjects as being in need of teachers. The entire Free State, excluding Erfurt, Weimar, and Jena, as well as the surrounding districts, are considered regions in need. Subjects like physics, biology, computer science, English, sports, and art (except in primary schools) are also in high demand.
Gaming the System
To counter the unfair competitive advantage, the state working group proposes to eliminate the bonuses for teachers who switch from independent schools to state schools. This move aims to prevent the distortion of competition and ensure that the teacher shortage in state schools is not addressed at the expense of independent schools.
Limited Impact of Bonuses
Despite the attractive bonuses, the impact on teacher recruitment has been limited. According to the Ministry of Education, only a small number of teachers have been lured by the special bonuses. In the current year, such payments were granted to 106 civil servants, and last year, the money was approved for 209 civil servant teachers. The majority of these bonuses were paid to prevent migration or as part of teacher exchange procedures, rather than to attract new talent.
Consequences of the Bonus System
The bonus system has triggered free-rider effects, where teachers move from independent schools to state schools to take advantage of the financial incentives. This not only exacerbated the teacher shortage in independent schools but also created an uneven playing field in the education sector.
Conclusion
The state-sponsored bonuses have put independent schools in Thuringia at a significant disadvantage in attracting and retaining teachers. To ensure a level playing field, the state must address the competitive distortion created by these bonuses and explore alternative solutions to address the teacher shortage in both state and independent schools.
Keyword Highlights
Independent schools in Thuringia, Germany
State-sponsored bonuses for teachers
Competitive disadvantage in staff recruitment
Financial resources and employment status
Regions and subjects in need
State working group proposals
Limited impact of bonuses
Free-rider effects
* Level playing field in education sector
How do state-sponsored bonuses influence the recruitment of teachers in independent schools in Thuringia?
State-Sponsored Bonuses and Their Impact on Teacher Recruitment in Independent Schools in Thuringia
As the battle for suitable teachers continues to intensify, independent schools in Thuringia are lagging behind their state-run counterparts due to the attractive bonuses offered by the latter. According to a letter from the State Association of Independent School Providers to the Thuringian Ministry of Education, the special bonuses have created a “noticeable pull effect” that is disadvantaging independent schools in terms of staff recruitment.
Ten Percent More Money Possible
Since 2022, the state has been offering newly hired teachers a special allowance of 10% of their starting salary for five years if they meet two of three criteria: subject in need, region in need, or type of school in need. The region of need includes the entire Free State with the exception of Erfurt, Weimar, and Jena, as well as the districts directly adjacent to these cities. Subjects in need include physics, biology, computer science, English, sports, and art, provided these subjects are not taught at a primary school.
Goal: No Surcharges After Changing from a Private School
The state working group now aims to prevent teachers who have previously worked at independent schools from receiving these bonuses in the future. This move is intended to prevent independent schools from losing their teachers to state schools due to the attractive bonuses. The association expects the Thuringian Ministry of Education to ensure that the shortage of teachers at state schools is not remedied through tax-financed distortion of competition at the expense of independent schools.
Few Bonuses Paid Out So Far
Despite the attractive bonuses, only a few Thuringian teachers have been lured by the payments so far. In the current year, such payments were granted for 106 civil servants, while last year, the money was approved for 209 civil servant teachers. The bonuses seem to be triggering free-rider effects, with many teachers receiving the bonuses even though they would have taught in rural areas anyway, for example, due to family ties.
How Are State-Sponsored Bonuses Affecting Teacher Recruitment in Independent Schools in Thuringia?
The State Association of Independent School Providers argues that independent schools are at a disadvantage when it comes to recruiting teachers due to the financial resources available to state schools. Unlike state schools, independent schools do not have the necessary funds to offer their teachers comparable bonuses. Furthermore, teachers in Thuringia have been made civil servants again for several years, which has also contributed to the disadvantage faced by independent schools.
The association is calling for the Thuringian Ministry of Education to take steps to address this issue and ensure a level playing field for all schools, whether state-run or independent. This could include providing financial support to independent schools or reconsidering the bonus system to make it more equitable.
Conclusion
The battle for suitable teachers is a pressing issue in Thuringia, and the state-sponsored bonuses are exacerbating the problem for independent schools. To ensure that all schools, whether state-run or independent, have an equal chance of recruiting and retaining top talent, it is essential to address the financial disparities and develop a more equitable system that benefits all parties involved.
Keywords: teacher recruitment, independent schools, state schools, Thuringia, bonuses, education, civil servants.
