Chronic School Skips: SPD Slams Schleswig-Holstein's Absence Crisis
North-region Schools under Fire for High Rates of Teacher Absenteeism: SPD Expresses Criticism - Criticism of High School Dropping Rates in Northern Germany by SPD (Social Democratic Party)
Martin Habersaat, the SPD's education spokesman, is on a warpath against the skyrocketing school absenteeism rates in Schleswig-Holstein. According to education ministry data, a whopping 11.2% of classes in general schools were missed recently, translating to roughly one out of every nine hours!
Comparatively, in the 2023/24 academic year, the percentage marginally increased to 11.9%. A staggering 2.5% of classes were missed with no substitutes (2.6% in 2023/2024), and 8.7% were shifted to other teachers.
Since the CDU took helm of the Ministry of Education in 2017, the absenteeism issue has persistently been on the rise, as per Habersaat. The 2016/2017 school year reported a more manageable 9.5% absentee rate. The 2022/2023 school year marked an all-time high with a staggering 12.2%. Habersaat pointed out that although the rate has seen a slight dip since then, we are still significantly off the figures that Karin Prien (CDU) reported when she took charge of the Ministry of Education.
Vocational schools
Vocational schools faired even worse, with a recent absenteeism rate of 13.7%, (slightly improved to 13.6% in 2023/2024). 3.9% of classes were missed with no substitutes (3.8% in 2023/2024), and 9.8% were shifted to other teachers.
Habersaat expressed concern over the increased absenteeism rates in districts like Segeberg, where primary schools frequently go unmanned, and Stormarn, where special needs schools often miss classes. He also highlighted the gymnasiums in Lübeck and Rendsburg-Eckernförde, where classes frequently go unmanned.
Habersaat is troubled that 90% of missed classes at upper secondary schools are being compensated with independent student work. Teacher illness accounts for 63% of absences, and 27% of absences occur due to teachers taking on other tasks, such as exams, project days, or school trips.
The SPD politician pressed the state government to avoid reducing teacher positions and to minimize the use of temporary substitute teachers. High school absenteeism can be linked to various factors, including socioeconomic conditions, health issues, education system inefficiencies, and environmental factors. Schools often tackle this issue by boosting student engagement, enhancing support services, and fostering a supportive school environment. The SPD, in hopes of mitigating absenteeism, advocates for addressing these root causes.
- The SPD's education spokesman, Martin Habersaat, is advocating for education reform, especially vocational training, to combat the high school absenteeism rates in Schleswig-Holstein, noting the persistently rising rates since the CDU took charge of the Ministry of Education in 2017.
- In addition to addressing general school absenteeism, the SPD also has concerns about the absenteeism rates in vocational schools, which have been even higher, reaching 13.7% recently, and is calling for solutions to tackle absenteeism within these schools, such as boosting student engagement, enhancing support services, and fostering a supportive school environment. This initiative is part of the SPD's focus on education-and-self-development, while also acknowledging the role of politics in shaping educational policies and general-news stories surrounding school absenteeism.
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