Baden-Württemberg: 1,440 teaching positions unfilled for decades!

Baden-Württemberg: 1,440 teaching positions unfilled for decades!

Was it the desks that no longer saw the light? In Baden-Württemberg, hundreds of teaching positions have remained unfilled for over 20 years. A remarkable report from SWR Aktuell reveals that 1,440 positions have been incorrectly registered as filled over the years. The error, which can be traced back to 2005, has now led to a significant teacher shortage and brought concerned unions into action. A real mess in the Ministry of Culture, which, after an IT breakdown, not only affects the current Green government, but also the predecessors of the CDU and SPD.

The background is complex: According to the Frankfurter Rundschau The software error extends to data transfer when the culture administration system changes. Due to suspected programming errors and manual adjustments, the incorrect total of unfilled positions grew by 80 to 100 annually. A recent review has finally made it clear how high the number of unfilled positions actually is.

High costs due to unfilled positions

The financial impact is not trivial: the costs for unfilled teaching positions add up to around 110 to 120 million euros per year. The money was obviously not spent because the necessary teachers were never hired. But those responsible in the Ministry of Culture seem to be taking action. After the problem became known, plans are now being made to fill the vacant teaching positions with a targeted plan, with particular attention being paid to special education and counseling centers as well as primary and vocational schools.

A working group will be set up, which will be accompanied by the Court of Auditors. Your goal is to determine the causes of this problem and avoid future IT errors. Without sustainable controlling, there is a high probability that such problems will repeat themselves. However, the Ministry of Culture has emphasized that other parts of the state administration are not affected by similar difficulties. A small ray of hope in an otherwise gloomy scenario.

Clarification and transparency required

Regardless of the responsibility of the current administration, the question arises: How could it come to this? The unions are outraged and are demanding more transparency about filling teaching positions. The confusing data and figures seem to have played a central role in creating this dilemma. It remains to be seen what measures will ultimately be taken to remedy this complex deficiency.

In the debate about the teacher shortage, it is not only current figures that are crucial, but also the ongoing mobilization of the public. There is something to be done and all sides are required to ensure the quality of education in Baden-Württemberg in the long term. The ball is now in the court of the responsible authorities.