Educational authorities in Hessen voice concerns over insufficient number of teachers
The Education and Science Union of Hesse (GEW) has called for a wealth tax that would benefit the education sector, as the new school year commenced in 2025/2026. Thilo Hartmann, the chairman of GEW Hesse, made this demand, citing several pressing issues in the region's schools.
According to Hartmann, the biggest problem in Hesse's schools is the persistent shortage of teaching staff. He also highlighted another issue: the massive investment backlog in Hesse's schools. This backlog, combined with the tight budgets in many municipalities and the state, threatens the educational work of the future.
To address these concerns, the GEW has demanded a reliable future plan for the school system from the Ministry of Culture. Moreover, they believe additional revenue is necessary to better equip Hesse's schools for the future. An imbalance arises due to unequal investments in school buildings in different municipalities, which further complicates the matter.
As of June 2024, the specific legislative or political status of a wealth tax proposal for education by the GEW in Hesse is not clear. However, in the past, the GEW and other German unions have advocated for wealth taxes or increased taxation on the wealthy to fund public services like education. For the most up-to-date information, it is recommended to check official GEW Hesse communications, local Hesse government press releases, or recent news sources.
- The Education and Science Union of Hesse (GEW) is advocating for a wealth tax to alleviate the persistent shortage of teaching staff and massive investment backlog in the region's schools, urging the Ministry of Culture for a reliable future plan and additional revenue for school development.
- With the new school year starting in 2025/2026, Thilo Hartmann, the chairman of GEW Hesse, has called for a wealth tax proposing to fund education, citing general news about the imbalance in investments in school buildings and the need for increased public services like education.
