More student teachers for STEM subjects in Saxony

Saxony urgently needs more teachers for science subjects, according to Education Minister Christian Piwarz (CDU). The Ministry of Science announced on Friday that it was therefore a success that a good 100 more student teachers had enrolled for the so-called MINT subjects at the University of Leipzig and Dresden for the 2023/24 winter semester than in the previous year. STEM stands for mathematics, computer science, natural sciences and technology.

"The fact that more young people are once again choosing to become biology or mathematics teachers is encouraging," explained Science Minister Sebastian Gemkow (CDU). "Nevertheless, together with the universities, we must succeed in making the attractiveness of teacher training in Saxony even better known." There is a shortage of teachers, particularly outside of urban centers and at secondary schools, vocational schools and special schools.

According to the Ministry of Science, it will be possible to study to become a teacher in Görlitz in the future. The joint course offered by the Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences and the University of Leipzig for secondary school teaching should offer 60 places. It has recently been particularly difficult to find enough junior teachers in eastern Saxony.