Due to lack of staff: Refugees should work as teachers

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The teacher shortage is acute. By 2031, there will be a shortage of 1,000 teachers each year. This is according to a report from the Federal Bureau of Statistics.

To defuse the problem, the teachers’ association and other organizations have a new demand: refugees and migrants must enter the classroom!

Until now, these have been practically excluded from access to the school system, according to an open letter from the organizations. That has to change. Suitable people should be systematically promoted. In this way, the potential of refugees can be exploited, the coalition writes in an open letter to Silvia Steiner (65), director of education in Zurich. She chairs the Conference of Cantonal Ministers of Education.

More diversity in schools

Migrants and refugees include well-educated and experienced teachers as well as those who are very interested in the teaching profession. The multilingualism and intercultural experiences of these people have a positive effect on the schools. This provides more knowledge and promotes diversity.

Green councilor Katharina Prelicz-Huber (63) is part of the coalition that launched the demand. She is president of the Civil Service Association.

Easier recognition of diplomas

In concrete terms, the organizations advocate a smoother recognition of foreign diplomas. In addition, the language skills of the refugees should be promoted more and the necessary preparatory courses should be set up. A new training course for school assistants is also proposed.

The coalition assumes that in this way several hundred people in Switzerland can be attracted to the teaching profession. It is difficult to estimate how large the effect will actually be. There are no figures on the educational level of refugees. (rba/SDA)

Source:Blick