Free State of Saxony responds to the shortage of teachers in Upper Lusatia with an innovative study program. Interested parties can register now.
In the winter semester of 2025/26, the new "Secondary School Teacher Training with Special Needs Education" course is to be launched in East Saxony as a joint course offered by Leipzig University and Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences. With this cooperation, Leipzig University and Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences are setting new standards in teacher training.
In particular, it is planned that classroom teaching will take place at both locations of the Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences and that school internships will be completed in the region of Eastern Saxony - an important contribution to the regionalization of teacher training. This concept is unique in Saxony in that it combines the study of two subjects for the teaching profession at secondary schools with the supplementary subject of special educational focus on learning. The prospective teachers are thus prepared in a special way for the challenges of inclusive school practice.
They can choose from the subjects mathematics, biology, German and economics/technology/household/social studies. The secondary school subjects are combined with a specialization in LEARNING. The duration of study for the planned course, which concludes with the first state examination, and the extension subject is a total of ten semesters or 300 credit points (CP). The course qualifies students for the preparatory service at secondary schools or special schools.
In a first reading last week, the Senate of Leipzig University has already approved the establishment of the joint degree course in secondary school teaching with special needs education, as has the Senate of the Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences.
Prospective students can now register on the Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences website.
The Free State of Saxony is responding to the shortage of teachers in Upper Lusatia with this innovative course. I am delighted that the course is already scheduled to start in the winter semester of 2025/26. Thanks to the unique cooperation between Leipzig University and the Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences, we will then bring the undergraduate teacher training course to eastern Saxony and thus to one of the regions where the demand for teachers in secondary schools and special schools is particularly high.
”Become a teacher and stay in Upper Lusatia. The new teacher training course at the Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences is great news for eastern Saxony and an important contribution to combating the shortage of teachers. It is an attractive option for young people to stay here after school or come to the region - and then teach later on.
”The study program shows what an innovative solution can look like for society, especially in rural areas. This will enable us to actively address the shortage of teachers at schools in Lusatia. We are delighted to be able to take the final steps together with Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences towards the start of the course in the winter semester 2025/26. We would also like to thank the two ministries involved for their support during the concept phase and at the start.
”With this forward-looking study model, we are sending a strong signal for the education of our children, for strengthening our schools and for the future of our region. It is a matter close to my heart to offer young people in East Saxony a real opportunity: an education with prospects, right on their doorstep. I would like to thank Leipzig University and the ministries involved. Their support makes this joint success possible.
”Study program website with registration form
