Overview

• The Bezirksregierung Düsseldorf initiated proceedings against the long‑absent civil servant and opened a separate internal case concerning the responsible official.
• The Oberverwaltungsgericht NRW ruled in mid‑August that the state may require an examination by a medical officer, including psychiatric assessment.
• The teacher had challenged the order as unjustified after many years and claimed a psychiatric evaluation would breach personality rights, but the court rejected the arguments.
• Education minister Dorothee Feller labeled the situation unacceptable and requested reports from all district governments on handling of long‑term disability retirements.
• Disciplinary outcomes could include measures such as pay reduction, while the authorized medical assessment will determine the teacher’s fitness for duty.