In Lower Saxony, there is a shortage of computer science teachers, leading to non-specialist teachers having to contribute to the introduction of computer science as a compulsory subject in the upcoming school year. The Ministry of Culture confirmed this, stating that not enough teachers are completing further training for computer science lessons. However, the ministry assures that no school will have to delay the introduction of the subject due to a lack of staff. The shortage of skilled workers is more pronounced at secondary, junior high, and high schools compared to grammar schools and comprehensive schools.
This year, computer science will become a mandatory subject for tenth grade nationwide, with ninth grade following suit the following year. In the previous year, 49 schools introduced computer science as part of a pilot phase. The feedback from schools and students has been extremely positive, with many praising the creative and independent nature of the subject.
Since 2019, Lower Saxony has been offering two-year training courses for teachers to teach computer science. So far, 225 teachers have started this training, and approximately 150 have completed it. The ministry reports that the training courses have been well-received. However, these numbers are not enough to meet the needs of schools in Lower Saxony. The ministry had anticipated this shortfall when deciding to introduce the compulsory subject and had already begun offering further training courses for non-specialist teachers. The ministry did not provide an exact figure for the number of computer science teachers needed across the country.
