Exploring the Benefits of Budgeting Teacher Resources: Enhancing Education Through External Specialists

What is teacher resource budgeting all about? In preparation for each school year, schools are allocated teacher resources. This is primarily intended to secure lessons (basic areas). In addition, as far as possible, they receive limited teacher resources for additional educational offerings (supplementary areas), such as working groups, support measures or school choirs. But in times of a shortage of applicants, it is difficult to fill vacant teaching positions. The possibility of budgeting teacher working capital should help.

The principle is simple. The schools are paid the difference in money between 100% and actual work capacity. In other words, the missing teacher resources are budgeted for. Schools can use the financial budget to purchase external professional expertise. There are hardly any limits to the use of additional specialists. For example, a local cantor can lead the school choir, an artist can lead an artistic group, or a photographer can lead a photography group. There is only one thing the external specialists are not allowed to do: conduct independent lessons.

In this way, teachers should be relieved of their burden by allowing them to concentrate on the actual core business, teaching. In addition, the schools’ personal responsibility and independence are strengthened. This means schools can set content priorities better than before. It is important that the contractually bound external persons are integrated into the school work.

The idea started as a pilot project in the second half of school year 2018/2019. At that time, 14 pilot schools tested the offer. In 2022, 114 schools took part. The offer has now been expanded to 400 schools. The allocated budgets range between 7,000 and 100,000 euros per year, depending on the size of the school. Contract creation and payment are carried out digitally via the school portal; The procedure is analogous to the “Catching up after Corona” program. The service point for special educational offers is responsible in the State Office for Schools and Education.