Headmistress in Bremerhaven: Fight against overload and lack of space!

Headmistress in Bremerhaven: Fight against overload and lack of space!

Karina Becker, headmaster and committed composer, is bringing a breath of fresh air to the Pestalozzi School in Bremerhaven, an independent primary school that is constantly changing. At 50, she can look back on more than 25 years of experience as a primary school teacher, including 16 years in a managerial position - a task that is becoming increasingly challenging. Becker not only teaches music, but also leads a school choir. Her enthusiasm for the children and the school community remains unbroken, even though she often struggles with a heavy workload. She emphasizes that she wouldn't give up her job for anything in the world because the children are happy and well cared for at school.

A more difficult everyday life for the school management

The challenges facing school principals are growing rapidly. Becker has already noticed an increase in work density since 2015, which has been accompanied by increasing student numbers due to immigration. The situation became even more precarious due to the corona pandemic. Loud Leuphana School management in Germany and Lower Saxony are severely overloaded. On average, they work around 55 hours per week, while administrative tasks can take up to 80% of their time. This development means that there is often little room to shape school visions and initiate innovations.

In the office, Becker is often distracted by a flood of phone calls, emails and meetings. She only completes many of her management tasks after 4 p.m., when the students have left the school building. The question of where the support for school management is is becoming more and more urgent. There is a shortage of school leaders everywhere, which not only affects school quality, but can also put a strain on the entire education system.

The lack of space problem

Another big problem is the inadequate facilities at their school. Despite additional funding from the municipality, the Pestalozzi School faces enormous challenges. The school was converted from a two-class to a four-class primary school, but this led to a lack of space. Four classes have currently been relocated to the basement of the neighboring Lloyd High School. The former music room that Becker would like to use for lessons can no longer be used for regular music lessons due to capacity reasons. The need to expand or demolish the dilapidated school infrastructure has been discussed for a long time, but political decisions have been a long time coming.

In addition to all these requirements, Becker reports on the unequal pay of school administrators. While their colleagues at secondary schools receive significantly higher salaries, primary school principals have to make do with the same salaries as year heads. This inequality is also reflected in the staffing: there has been no substitute at the Pestalozzi School for years, which only increases the challenges.

An appeal to society

Becker emphasizes how important it is to treat teachers with respect in order to prevent them from leaving. School administrators often find themselves exposed to high psychological stress in everyday life that goes beyond the initial excessive demands of the job - a situation that is not only present in the Lower Saxony area, but also nationwide. According to one daily news According to the survey, many school principals have to take work home with them, which removes boundaries from professional life and can have dangerous health consequences such as burnout.

The current situation is an urgency for the entire school community. Political measures are needed to ensure the quality of school education in the long term. Given the legal right to all-day schools from 2026 that will soon come into effect, Becker is eagerly waiting to see whether her situation will finally be heard. The scope for action for school management must urgently be expanded in order to be able to provide both teachers and students with the best possible support.

The education system needs change, which means there is a lot on the table - and that includes upgrading school management!