Trade union warns of double crisis in the education system

Permanent stress and resignation among teaching staff

GEW Vice President Claudia Maaß commented on the Ministry of Education's package of measures to minimize absenteeism. There is unrest and uncertainty at many schools. "Teachers who are already working to the limit are being asked to shoulder even more." There is no end, no improvement in sight. The result is constant stress and resignation. There are constantly new and short-term measures that are not agreed with those affected.

On Wednesday, the Ministry of Education presented its plans for the school year starting next Monday. Minister of Education Conrad Clemens (CDU) was optimistic that the current shortfall of around nine percent of all lessons could be reduced.

Teachers' association points to uncertainty, frustration and resentment

The Saxon Teachers' Association (SLV) - the second largest representation of teachers' interests alongside the GEW - warned against false optimism. "Instead of a spirit of optimism, there is uncertainty, frustration and resentment in many places. The package of measures has met with widespread rejection and the situation at schools is more tense than ever," emphasized SLV state head René Michel.

"With a radical secondment strategy, teachers are currently being moved back and forth like pawns on a chessboard with the aim of distributing the loss of teaching evenly - but not preventing it," said Michel. This is tearing apart functioning teams, disrupting processes and unsettling entire teaching staff.

The SLV urgently advises all teachers to take care to maintain their health and to carefully examine labor law requirements. Anyone who feels overwhelmed or unlawfully treated by official instructions should contact the staff councils or the SLV's legal department. Those who are overburdened must defend themselves, it said.

Copyright 2025, dpa (www.dpa.de). All rights reserved