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The Ministry of Education in Saxony-Anhalt, Germany, has introduced a new initiative that allows teachers to voluntarily hold up to four additional hours per week. This move is part of a broader strategy to maintain an adequate number of teaching staff in the region.
Teachers in Saxony-Anhalt now have the option to take on extra hours, with the Ministry assuring that these voluntary additional teaching hours will not be mandatory. The compensation for these hours will be provided if a teacher is ill.
It's important to note that this initiative does not represent a change in the goal of ensuring adequate teaching staffing in Saxony-Anhalt. The aim remains the same, with the additional hours serving as a means to adapt to potential staffing shortages.
The introduction of voluntary additional teaching hours comes after the Federal Administrative Court previously nullified a state regulation requiring teachers to hold a weekly additional hour. This decision highlights the importance of voluntary participation in these extra hours.
The Ministry has not specified any changes to the number of additional hours teachers can voluntarily hold. Overtime could still be ordered as a last resort if voluntary measures are insufficient. However, the Ministry has not announced any changes to the compensation for ordered overtime.
The coordinator of the "Projekt Janus" at the Ministry of Science, Research and Culture of the State of Saxony-Anhalt is the Fulda University of Applied Sciences. This project is likely to play a significant role in the implementation and management of these voluntary additional teaching hours.
The Ministry continues to emphasise that the aim of these measures is still to maintain an adequate number of teaching staff in Saxony-Anhalt. Orders for overtime will be given as a last resort, reflecting the Ministry's commitment to the voluntary nature of these additional hours.
This new initiative is a step towards addressing potential staffing shortages in Saxony-Anhalt while respecting the autonomy of teachers. It's a testament to the Ministry's dedication to ensuring quality education for all students in the region.
