Contribution with impact: Participation of employees in elementary ecudation

The field of elementary education has recently received increased attention in the media and in the political discourse. The prevailing shortage of personnel and the simultaneous high demand for an expansion of childhood education and childcare call for strategies to improve working conditions and the attractiveness of the occupational field.

Against this background, the question arises as to how different forms of participation can have a positive effect on working conditions and thus job satisfaction. The study aims examines which forms of participation are already being implemented, which are desired by employees and how participation at the workplace can contribute to making the occupational field more attractive. Also, possible interactions between democratic and/or participatory structures, organisational culture and participatory pedagogical approaches will be analysed.

To answer these questions, experts from the field will be involved in the project in a participatory way and focus groups will be conducted with employees from elementary education institutions from different federal states.