Overview

• Saxony's Kultusminister Conrad Clemens has proposed 21 measures aimed at halving the state's 9.4% class cancellation rate, including reducing age-related workload adjustments for teachers.
• The GEW teachers' union strongly opposes the plan, calling it a heavy burden on older educators and accusing the ministry of ignoring teachers' well-being.
• Union leaders argue that the measures fail to address the root causes of teacher shortages, such as insufficient staffing and poor retention strategies, with 1,400 full-time positions currently unfilled in the state.
• Critics warn that the proposed changes could lead to lower educational quality, as overburdened teachers may resort to less effective teaching methods like increased reliance on frontal instruction.
• The GEW has announced plans for protests and discussions with stakeholders, emphasizing the need for collaborative and incentive-based solutions to improve the education system.