Overview
- Delegates at the CDU party conference in Heidelberg approved the program, making it a centerpiece of the party’s election platform.
- The plan promises principals clear criteria and evaluation tools, from structured feedback to binding development agreements and graduated sanctions for ongoing nonperformance.
- CDU education spokesman Andreas Sturm said school leaders report little leverage when teachers skip mandatory training, cited high sickness rates, and noted pay cuts are off the table for civil servants, proposing incentives like courses offered during school vacations.
- The GEW union, led by Monika Stein, condemned the approach as populist, labeled the CDU “not electable” for many families and educators, and argued that overbooked trainings and a lack of substitute coverage—especially in primary schools—hinder participation; it also blamed prior CDU reforms for declines in performance.
- Responding to the backlash, Sturm rejected the blanket “lazy teacher” label, called for a comprehensive assessment and constructive dialogue, and emphasized strengthening school leadership and evidence-based professional development.