Editorial: The Recommendations of the Standing Scientific Commission of the KMK for Dealing with the Acute Shortage of Teachers. A Critique from the Perspective of Vocational Training

Abstract

Based on an acute shortage of teachers that is expected to continue to worsen, the Standing Scientific Commission (SWK) of the Conference of Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs (KMK) has published a position paper in which a number of recommendations are presented in order to ensure nationwide security for teaching in Germany. These suggestions are
largely counterproductive (not only) from the perspective of vocational training. This article provides a central analysis of the evidence on which the SWK bases its recommendations and how it justifies them. It is revealed that some recommendations are not scientifically backed at all and where evidence is provided, questions often arise as to their relevance and viability. Overall, it can be seen that the recommendations of the Standing Scientific Commission of the KMK for dealing with the acute shortage of teachers hardly illuminate the cause of the problem and do so only onesidedly (related to the teaching staff) while mainly recommending measures without scientific foundation, which in their implementation have little potential for resources, but large have potential for conflict. This is contrasted with reflections on the study and work motivation of teachers and a look at education financing in order to show where the possible causes of the shortage of teachers lie, what that has to do with career orientation and perceptions and how one could possibly make progress here.