Union advocates aim to file a lawsuit for increasing mandated instructional hours in schools
Teachers' Union in Brandenburg Prepares Legal Action Against Additional Teaching Hours
The Education and Science Union (GEW) in Brandenburg has announced its intention to sue the Brandenburg Ministry of Education and Cultural Affairs (Schulbehörde in Brandenburg) over the legality of additional teaching hours.
Starting in February, teachers in Brandenburg are expected to teach one more hour per week, bringing the total teaching hours to 28 per week. However, the GEW is not willing to accept this additional workload without a fight.
According to GEW state chairman Günther Fuchs, anything over 24 hours is considered too much for a primary school teacher. He believes that 27 hours instead of 28 teaching hours per week is excessive.
Fuchs also argues that 45 minutes of teaching time means 90 minutes more work due to preparation and follow-up. He has accused the ministry of not compensating for the "Vorgriffsstunde" (preponed hour), which is not included in the official teaching hours.
The GEW is calling on teachers to meticulously record their working hours at the moment, in preparation for the lawsuit. They plan to file the lawsuit in 2026, with related court proceedings expected to take place in the following years.
Following a large demonstration in Potsdam, further protest actions are planned, according to Günther Fuchs. The GEW refuses to negotiate the additional workload with Education Minister Steffen Freiberg (SPD).
However, according to Fuchs, an agreement on reliefs would enable the ministry to claim in court that the workload of teachers remains the same. The GEW is hoping for a resolution that ensures a fair and reasonable workload for teachers in Brandenburg.
The GEW's stance on the issue has garnered support from teachers across the region, who are concerned about the impact of increased workload on their well-being and ability to provide quality education to their students. The union's actions have sparked a broader conversation about the importance of addressing teacher workload and ensuring a healthy work-life balance for educators.
