Teaching absenteeism: Saxony plans more teacher secondments

Teachers' association pleads for "voluntariness before compulsion"

The Saxony Teachers' Association criticizes the lack of balance in secondments and criticizes the fact that seconded teachers are creating gaps in teaching provision, particularly at grammar schools. The reduction in teaching absences is being bought at the price of additional workloads for teachers, some of whom are already working significantly more than their regular working hours. In addition, the measure was "insufficiently planned and hastily implemented" in the current school year. Structural relief is needed. The association also advocates "voluntariness before compulsion" when it comes to secondments.

According to the Ministry of Education and Cultural Affairs, it is always checked "whether a school is in a position to release a teacher for another school". There is a "field of tension between "releasing" and "receiving" schools", it continues. However, in addition to the recruitment of new teachers, the instrument is central to preparing for the school year. "As the shortfall in teaching varies greatly depending on the type of school and region, we have to make adjustments accordingly."