What makes a good teacher? In 1991, Hartmut von Hentig attempted to answer this when he first formulated a 'Socratic oath' for the profession, and it is a question which remains relevant today. In The Socratic Oath for Teachers, Klaus Zierer revisits and reframes the concept of a teacher’s oath while also addressing challenges currently facing our societal developments in recent didactic-methodological research and fresh perspectives on the goals of the teaching profession. Referencing Socrates throughout, this short think piece proposes a professional oath for teachers that at...

The Covid pandemic has caused massive disruption in the education system. The consequences for the education of the next generation are now clearly visible: a decline in learning performance, problems in psycho-social development, and a deterioration in physical condition. Although all children and young people are affected, those from educationally deprived backgrounds fall behind the most. All this characterizes the Covid Generation. Educational inequity is on the rise, and an educational catastrophe is looming.

As important as this look back is, it is crucial to look forward....

What makes a good teacher? In 1991, Hartmut von Hentig attempted to answer this when he first formulated a 'Socratic oath' for the profession, and it is a question which remains relevant today. In The Socratic Oath for Teachers, Klaus Zierer revisits and reframes the concept of a teacher’s oath while also addressing challenges currently facing our societal developments in recent didactic-methodological research and fresh perspectives on the goals of the teaching profession. Referencing Socrates throughout, this short think piece proposes a professional oath for teachers that at...