Neulehrer

Neulehrer (literally "new teacher") was the name given to educational personnel graduating from a course not integrated in a degree, introduced by the Allies in the four occupation zones of Germany from 1945 to 1949.

For the recovery of education after the end of the Second World War in Germany, the path to teaching was opened to graduates through short courses, and in the Soviet occupation zone also to young workers.

All persons who could demonstrate having an academic degree were accepted into the program, as long as they had no link with the Nazi Party or with its state organs.

Although in the first school year a few teachers with a Nazi past were still tolerated, the directives for their stay in their jobs gradually became more strict.

In the Soviet occupation zone the introduction of new teachers also served to guarantee the Socialist Unity Party of Germany (SED) control over school education.