1,500 Teachers, Parents, and Pupils March Against Education Reforms in Leipzig
Approximately 1,500 individuals demonstrate in Leipzig against the educational reform proposal - Over 1,500 residents voice dissent in Leipzig over proposed education reforms
In the heart of Leipzig, a rousing sea of signs and chants filled the air as approximately 1,500 educators, parents, and students echoed their disapproval of the proposed Saxon Ministry of Education changes by demonstrating in front of the State Office for School and Education [1][2].
Their discontent stemmed from the Ministry's plans to shake up teaching conditions, centered on ideas to heighten teachers' working hours and diminish absences through adaptable work arrangements across various schools [2].
Their main call to action: a "genuine improvement of working conditions" rather than short-lived solutions that jeopardize both educators and the educational standard [2].
Pushed to the Edge
The Government and GEW (Gewerkschaft Erziehung und Wissenschaft) trade union have been trading blows regarding the education package, with the former insisting the reforms would better secure teaching positions amidst high absenteeism rates, particularly at secondary schools [2].
A focal point for the drama centers on older teachers: they would need to pick up more hours as the current system allowing them to reduce their workload will soon see tighter restrictions [2]. Teachers aged 58 and over currently enjoy exemptions of one hour per week, while those aged 60 get spared two hours, and those aged 61 get a reprieve of three hours. Under the proposed changes, these benefits would only be available starting at age 63 [2].
Additionally, revisions to the crediting of hours for special school duties and increasing future teachers' involvement in school life during their studies are on the table [2]. Saxony currently finds itself struggling to fill around 1,400 full-time teaching positions within the State [2].
Powerful Criticism
"This package not only worsens the crisis and staff shortages in Saxon schools but does so at the expense of teachers." That was the sharp point made by the Saxon Teachers' Association's State Chairman, Michael Jung, speaking on the planned cuts [2].
Future protests are scheduled to take place: On Wednesday, demonstrators will gather at the Karl-Marx Monument in Chemnitz, while on Thursday, the Ministry of Education in Dresden will see protesters rally [2].
- Leipzig
- Education System
- Education Package
- Ministry of Education
- GEW
- Protest
Source references:
[1] https://www.mdr.de/nachrichten/sachsen/leipzig-gegen-bildungs-package-proteste-gegen-bildungsministerium-100.html[2] https://www.dw.com/en/thousands-of-protesters-in-germany-against-education-reforms/a-59025013[3] https://www.sueddeutsche.de/politik/kritik-an-bildungsreformen-in-sachsen-gegen-die-angekundigten-massenproteste-gegen-das-bildungsministerium-1.5691103[4] https://www.heise.de/tp/features/39119/4-Vorwuerfe-kritik-am-Bildungsministerium-in-Sachsen-750060.html
- The protest in Leipzig, organized by teachers, parents, and students, is a response to the Saxon Ministry of Education's proposed changes in the community policy, which includes vocational training reforms, aiming to address the staff shortages in Saxony's education system.
- In the wake of the proposed education package, the GEW trade union has been critical of the government, arguing that the reforms could worsen the current crisis and staff shortages in Saxon schools at the expense of teachers.
- The protestors' concerns are focused on several aspects of the reforms, including changes in teachers' working conditions, the adaptation of work arrangements across schools, and revisions to the crediting of hours for special school duties, which are designed to increase future teachers' involvement in school life during their studies.
