Violence, a shortage of teachers and dilapidated schools: teachers in Germany are confronted with many problems. Nevertheless, according to a survey, the majority are satisfied with their job.
Almost every second teacher in Germany sees psychological or physical violence among students at their own school. This emerges from a survey by the Robert Bosch Foundation. Accordingly, 47 percent of the teachers surveyed stated that these problems existed at their school.
Schools in socially disadvantaged locations are particularly affected. The teachers also suffered from this: 36 percent said they were “emotionally exhausted” several times a week. 27 percent would like to quit.
What is the school barometer?
For the current edition of the German School Barometer, 1,608 teachers at general and vocational schools in Germany were surveyed by the opinion research institute Forsa between November 13th and December 3rd last year. The Robert Bosch Foundation has been conducting the representative survey since 2019.
Challenge inclusion
Teachers see student behavior as the biggest challenge. 35 percent of teachers said this. The second most frequently mentioned (33 percent) was dealing with classes in which there are differences between the students. This refers to classes in which students are at different stages of their learning development, have different cultural and family backgrounds and sometimes require special support.
Less than half of teachers see inclusive schooling as a benefit. 77 percent of those surveyed also believe that children in inclusive classes do not receive the special support they need.
“Massive staff shortage”
When asked what needed to be done most urgently in schools, 41 percent saw a need for action on the staff shortage. Dagmar Wolf from the Robert Bosch Foundation viewed the results of the survey as a snapshot of a sick system: teachers have long had to compensate for the consequences of the “massive staff shortage”. In addition, there are always new burdens. In order to keep teachers in schools in the future, professional well-being will be extremely important. This will make the profession more attractive again for young people.
Teachers are also concerned about the dilapidated school buildings: 35 percent of those surveyed believe that more money should be spent on renovation and renovation.
Minister of Education Stark-Watzinger: Alarming results
Federal Education Minister Bettina Stark-Watzinger (FDP) called the results alarming. The report makes it clear how great the pressure to act in education now is, she told the daily newspapers of the Funke media group.
With a view to the survey, the chairwoman of the philologists’ association, Susanne Lin-Klitzing, told the Tagesspiegel: “It is shocking that so many teachers have to experience various forms of violence in everyday life.” The growing level of violence in schools, the shortage of teachers and the dilapidated condition of many schools led to additional stress for everyone. Therefore, investments must be made in schools.
Many teachers are generally satisfied
In general, the survey also shows that the majority (75 percent) of teachers are satisfied with their job and their school. And almost all teachers are convinced that their students feel comfortable at school: 92 percent believe this.