Fachlehrer

Fachlehrer, teachers trained in only one subject or one subject group; in the 19^th century they replaced general-education teachers who taught all subjects (with the exception of religious education), entering the school system at the university prepatory level (1806-1818, after 1849), and then began teaching at Realschulen and Bürgerschulen (mid-level, post-elementary schools) (Hauptschule). The educational system emphasising the use of specially trained teachers, rejected by Empress Maria Theresia in 1775, was at first very controversial and only achieved a sustainable basis when the universities and teacher training colleges began offering courses of study with concentration in one particular field. Universities introduced the teaching certification exam in 1849, teacher training colleges began offering certification courses for teaching at Bürgerschulen in 1886.