Overview
- A GEW‑commissioned study by the Freiburger Forschungsstelle für Arbeitswissenschaften surveyed more than 7,300 school leadership staff across 14 federal states.
- About three quarters reported working at a high pace throughout the day and 70% said they rarely or never take breaks, with many attending work while ill.
- Compared with other occupations, school leaders face greater quantitative demands and stronger emotional strain, according to the study’s analysis.
- An RND survey cited in the coverage estimates roughly every twentieth school lacks a proper principal, leaving about 1,300 leadership posts vacant nationwide.
- GEW calls for immediate prevention measures, including formal time tracking, additional pedagogical and administrative staff, relief hours, and regular workplace risk assessments, and urges action on persistent teacher shortages.