Teacher shortage in Bavaria: BLLV calls for better conditions and honoring long-standing members

Teacher shortage in Bavaria: BLLV calls for better conditions and honoring long-standing members

On November 28, 2025, the BLLV Lichtenfels district association's honors evening took place at Karolinenhöhe in Trieb. Numerous guests came to express their appreciation to the long-standing members of the association. District chairman Bernhard Jeßberger took the opportunity to draw attention to the pressing problems in the education sector. The shortage of teachers and working conditions in schools were particularly highlighted as a major challenge. While the end of the teacher shortage in primary schools is in sight, the situation in middle schools is much more difficult.

The district spokesman expressed uncertainty about the purpose of using lateral entrants and warned against restricting part-time opportunities for teachers - a decision he considers anti-family and short-sighted. A strong association is necessary to guarantee fair pay, better working conditions and relief for teachers. Instead of inviting a keynote speaker, the film “200 Years of the Teachers’ Movement – ​​Courage for Pedagogy” was presented to honor the history of the teachers’ association.

Honors and history of the BLLV

The teachers' association has been active in Bavaria since 1825, after it was banned twice. The Bavarian Teachers' Association (BLV) was founded in Regensburg in 1861 under Karl Heiß. The BLV was banned during the world wars, but was re-established in Nuremberg in 1946. An important milestone was the opening of the club to women in 1946, which led to the founding of the BLLV in 1951. In 2015, a woman, Simone Fleischmann, was elected president for the first time.

In addition, the long-standing members were honored:

• 25 Jahre: Katharina Ganzmann
• 40 Jahre: Maria Stadter, Beate Söllner, Brigitte Olborth
• 50 Jahre: Siegfried Neidert
• 55 Jahre: Edmund Müller, Herbert Ramer, Mechthild Beuerle, Ulrich May, Alfons Eisele
• 60 Jahre: Thekla Flieger
• 65 Jahre: Manfred Gürke, Karl Bauer

The problem of the teacher shortage in Bavaria has been discussed for some time. According to bllv.de, it shows that only less than 7% of high school graduates decide to study to become a teacher, compared to 15% ten years ago. The situation at middle schools is particularly precarious: the number of students fell from 738 to 368 between 2013 and 2022. This could lead to a drop in the coverage ratio from 96% to 88% in the next few years.

Looking into the future

The high dropout rate among teacher training students, which is due in particular to the lack of practical school during training, is also worrying. In addition, many teachers of the baby boomer generation will retire while the Ministry of Education continues to struggle for solutions. Prime Minister Söder has suggested restrictions on part-time opportunities as a solution, which experts say could be counterproductive.

To improve the situation, bllv.de advocates a comprehensive reform of teacher training and less bureaucratic effort. The Bavarian Minister of Education, Anna Stolz, has also announced that she will present a concept to combat the shortage of teachers in the winter, which will also address the issue of part-time work.

Finally, Jeßberger wished everyone present a contemplative time and invited everyone to dinner together, while the challenges in the education sector continue to be very important. The rest of the evening was dedicated to exchanges and honors.