Effective Schools Depend on Leadership in Schools
In North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW), Germany, the education system is grappling with challenges such as diversity, a shortage of qualified personnel, and potential school leadership vacancies. The SPD politician, Sonja Bongers, has proposed a solution aimed at addressing these issues by advocating for fair and school form-independent remuneration for school leaders and deputies.
The proposal suggests a uniform career path after A15(Z)/A16 for school leaders and deputies, and a clear financial upgrading of deputy headteacher positions in primary schools. According to Bongers, the remuneration of school leaders should not depend on the school form but on the size of the school.
Successful school leaders in NRW are both good educators and leaders. Many schools in the region are demonstrating creative impulses and innovations, indicating the potential for good and future-oriented education. However, the urgent need for action in NRW's education system has been highlighted by Bongers, particularly due to the high number of school leavers without a degree in 2022 – 11,385 to be precise.
The attractiveness of the school leadership profession in NRW has decreased significantly in recent years, and many school leadership positions are currently vacant. Bongers has called for more opportunities for schools to attract and retain qualified leaders.
The issue of fair and school form-independent remuneration for school leaders is not explicitly detailed in current policies or proposed changes in NRW. However, there is active discourse around equality, integration, and fairness within the German education system, including NRW. Efforts by institutions like GIZ demonstrate a focus on fairness, inclusion, and equal opportunity in vocational training and employment, suggesting a general trend toward inclusive leadership policies.
For the most current and specific policies or proposed reforms on this topic, it is advisable to consult official NRW government sources, education ministry releases, or specialized reports on school leadership and employment conditions in NRW schools.
- To address the challenges in the education system of North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW), Sonja Bongers has proposed a solution that includes a uniform career path for school leaders and deputies, emphasizing learning and self-development through a clear financial upgrading of deputy headteacher positions.
- The proposal by SPD politician Sonja Bongers in NRW also highlights the importance of education-and-self-development by advocating for fair and school form-independent remuneration for school leaders, aiming to attract and retain qualified educators.
