Status: 18.08.2023, 21:00 p.m.
By: Rafael Sala
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A bouquet of flowers for the ex-managing director: Andrea Höfler (center) leaves the VHS Weilheim. Her successor will be Kristin Sterr (2nd from left). Congratulations came from Helmut Hornung (left), treasurer Thomas Grün and lecturer Ute Wacker. © Rafael Sala
As far as the number of participants is concerned, the Volkshochschule Weilheim (VHS) is not yet able to return to the pre-Corona period. For example, if the course offered in 2019 was accepted by 4352 people, three years later, i.e. last year, there were only 2964. But things are looking up.
Weilheim – The VHS is making good leaps and bounds. This was announced by Chairman Helmut Hornung at the General Assembly: "We have mastered the challenges very well, there is almost normality." The number of courses has even increased – from 350 in 2021 to 477 now – an increase compared to the pre-Corona period and, according to Hornung, proof that the need for education is unbroken, even increased after the long period of abstinence. The lecturers have also kept the VHS in line during the difficult times, not least as a result of the increasing number of online courses. With currently 129 of them, there are more than ever before. The lecturers showed a great willingness to "accept the new format".
However, their number could, indeed must, increase if one wants to maintain the wide range of services. According to Andrea Höfler, who worked as managing director of the VHS for five years, but is now moving to Landsberg, there are too few lecturers in almost all areas. For example, the "Profession and IT" department: 61 courses with a good 150 participants and 129 teaching units were covered by only 13 lecturers in the current year. In the "Languages" section, which is particularly popular, there are only 25 educators at the blackboard, while 1125 people go to school. The search for additional lecturers is a high priority at the VHS. "There's still room for improvement."
Stable income and less expenditure
All in all, the board of directors is pleased. "Things are looking up again," said Höfler, referring to the situation two years ago in the middle of the Corona period. In the meantime, there are 1000 more participants than a year ago. According to treasurer Thomas Grün, the institution is also in a solid financial position: "We have stable income and spent less than planned." An increase of around 26,000 euros in the current financial year is a "great development". The members discharged the board by acclamation.
At her farewell, Höfler received a lot of praise – including from Mayor Markus Loth: Although he regretted the decision, as the educational institution was losing an extremely competent specialist with it, he could also understand it, as he admitted with a smile with regard to salary issues. Höfler herself said that the step was not easy for her: "I had to think about it for a long time. But maybe it doesn't hurt if a new, fresh wind comes in." Her successor will be Kristin Sterr, who will take over the business from autumn.