Brandenburg cuts elective classes as teacher shortage leaves 313 posts unfilled amid record student numbers

Brandenburg’s Education Minister Gordon Hoffmann (CDU) announced on Wednesday that the state faces one of its most challenging school years due to a persistent teacher shortage and a surge in student numbers. At the start of the 2026/27 academic year, 313 full-time teaching positions remain unfilled, up from 255 last year, though Hoffmann noted the figure is lower than initially feared. The number of students is projected to reach 324,400, the highest in two decades, exacerbating staffing pressures .

Hoffmann, speaking at a press conference in Cottbus, emphasized that the ministry would ensure students could complete their qualifications, even if “painful measures” were required. Schools may temporarily reduce elective courses, suspend extracurricular activities, or seek exemptions to deviate from standard lesson plans in non-core subjects for grades 7 to 10. The ministry pledged to review such requests within 48 hours. Core subjects like German and mathematics will remain unaffected .

To address the shortfall, Hoffmann said the state would increase weekly teaching hours for all tenured teachers by one starting in the 2026/27 school year. He also reported that over 400 teachers had voluntarily transferred to schools with acute staffing needs, while a “low double-digit” number were reassigned by authorities within their respective school districts. Brandenburg’s teaching workforce begins the year with 22,311 educators, including roughly 20% who entered the profession through alternative pathways .

Hoffmann acknowledged the strain on schools, stating, “Every additional hour of instruction counts.” He reiterated that while solutions were not simple, priority would be given to courses essential for graduation .