Progress in the formation of teaching: dual master's degree for Senftenberg!

Progress in the formation of teaching: dual master's degree for Senftenberg!

Senftenberg, Deutschland - On April 9, 2025, the 7th Senftenberger workshop took place at the Brandenburg University of Cottbus-Senftenberg (BTU). The focus of the event was the further development of the Senftenberg model of the teaching of the teaching fellow, which has been implemented at the BTU since 2022. Representatives from ministries, educational institutions and university formation came together to work on a new dual master's degree for the teaching post for the primary level, which is planned for the winter semester 2026/27. Furthermore, the BTU reported on the high practical relevance, which is created by linking the university and school.

A central element of this workshop was the continuation of a workshop for a dual teaching degree, which took place in October 2024. The event included both plenary discussions and working groups that aimed at promoting innovative approaches to formation of teaching. Prof. Dr. Peer Schmidt, who described the versatile approaches of the Senftenberg workshop as the key to the design of the dual teaching degree, and Prof. Dr. Juliane Noack Napoles, which highlighted the importance of exchange, led the discussions.

collaborations and exchange

Members of the Ministry of Science, Research and Culture (MWfK), the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport (MBJS), the Brandenburg Pedagogue Association as well as teachers and students of the BTU also took part in the workshop. Representatives of primary schools, mayors and educational institutions from the region also brought their experiences. These discussions were crucial to identify central challenges and to address possible solutions to implement the dual master's program.

The event received positive feedback from the participants, which is considered an indicator of the progress and the effectiveness of the Senftenberger workshops in the formation of teachers in Brandenburg. Juliane Hohlfeld, a student of the Bachelor's degree teaching, was enthusiastic about the planning of the dual master and the inclusion of the students in the process of creation.

extension of teacher training

Brandenburg would like to continue to significantly expand the capacities for the training of teachers. Minister of Science Dr. Manja Schüle and Minister of Education Britta Ernst had presented plans for a teacher course in Senftenberg, which was developed in cooperation with the Center for Teacher Education and Educational Research (ZELB) at the University of Potsdam. The first teaching students for the subject combination German and math will start their studies in the winter semester 2023/24. In order to promote teacher training, a total of 12.31 million euros are available.

According to a decision by the Conference of Ministers of Culture (KMK), the introduction of dual teaching courses in many federal states is also promoted. These new courses should partially integrate the preparatory service into the teaching degree. Among the proposed models can be found both dual bachelor and master's programs as well as part-time courses for career changers to bring more flexibility into the teaching profession.

Overall, the new developments face the challenge of providing more students with current teaching methods and at the same time increasing the number of teacher students. The responsibility for the design of these programs is left to the individual federal states, whereby Brandenburg plays a pioneering role.

For further information, Prof. Dr. Juliane Noack Napoles available as a contact person.

The comprehensive impulses from the Senftenberg workshop thus form an important step in the further development of the formation of the teaching impression in Brandenburg, especially with regard to the new dual courses.