1,500 people protest against education package in Leipzig

Numerous people have protested in Leipzig against the education package of the Saxon Ministry of Education. According to a spokesperson for the Education and Science Union (GEW), around 1,500 demonstrators gathered in front of the State Office for Schools and Education. They expressed their displeasure with self-made signs. Their central demand: a "real improvement in working conditions" instead of short-term emergency solutions at the expense of teachers and the quality of education.

The GEW is calling on the ministry to withdraw the planned measures. According to the ministry, these are aimed at better safeguarding teaching in the face of high absenteeism - especially at secondary schools.

More hours for older teachers - less relief

One central point of the package concerns older teachers: they are to teach more hours in future. The current so-called age reduction is to be restricted. Currently, teachers aged 58 and over are exempted from teaching one hour per week, two hours from 60 and three hours from 61. In future, this regulation will only apply from the age of 63.

The crediting of hours for special school tasks is also to be revised. In addition, prospective teachers are to be more involved in everyday school life during their studies. According to the ministry, there is currently a shortage of around 1,400 full-time teachers in the state.

Harsh criticism of reform plans

"This package exacerbates the crisis and the staff shortage at Saxony's schools - on the backs of the teaching staff," criticized the state chairman of the Saxon Teachers' Association, Michael Jung. The planned cuts would not only affect teachers, but everyone who shapes schools - and everyone who learns there.

Further protest actions are planned: On Wednesday, there will be a demonstration at the Karl Marx Monument in Chemnitz and on Thursday in front of the Ministry of Culture in Dresden.