More lateral entrants hired for Saxon schools

The Saxon Ministry of Education and Cultural Affairs has recruited more lateral entrants this year than in previous years. In preparation for the second half of the school year, 273 men and women have been undergoing three months of training since November 1 before they start teaching on February 1, 2025, according to the ministry.

During the preparation phase, experienced teachers impart knowledge, skills and abilities relating to the essential processes of everyday school life and lesson planning. In addition, the lateral entrants are assigned a mentor at the school for two school semesters.

Saxony launched a qualification program for lateral entrants in 2016, primarily to address the shortage of teachers for mathematics, natural sciences and foreign languages. A university degree is a prerequisite for lateral entry. The aim of the qualification is to teach interested candidates pedagogical and methodological content.