Accordingly, the numbers are recovering after the coronavirus pandemic, but have not yet returned to pre-coronavirus levels (2019: around 66,000 teaching units and almost 43,000 participants). Weis justified the increased budget of around 2.3 million euros for 2024 with the unclear development in the area of immigration - this involves German examinations and naturalization tests -, the constantly rising personnel costs, room rents and levies as well as the increased costs for digitalization.
In the outlook for 2024/2025, the director named the following goals: Participant numbers are to be increased and the drop-out rate is to be reduced. In addition, new course topics will be offered that are adapted to social developments. In 2024, the focus will be on "Perspectives on Europe" and in 2025 on "Health". In addition, the subsidy requirement is to be kept as low as possible and resources are to be conserved through digitalization and savings on printed materials. The e-marketing of the Schiller Adult Education Center must therefore be revised and expanded.
Current challenges
Among the current challenges, Weis cited the employment of teachers at adult education centers, a possible VAT liability for adult education center courses and the space situation in the municipalities due to freelance work and status determination procedures. Other challenges include the continued high demand for "German as a foreign language" courses, the shortage of skilled workers and the resulting more complex qualifications and training of employees, as well as the further expansion of cooperation with other adult education centers and partner regions of the district and municipalities.
The Schiller Adult Education Center currently has a total of 30 employees (teaching and administrative staff), one working student, one FSJ volunteer for a voluntary social year (again from 2025), two to three trainees per year and 36 voluntary local representatives.
