More Work for Older Teachers? Minister Shows Willingness to Talk (Under Pressure)
March 27, 2025
DRESDEN. To mitigate teacher shortages in Saxony, older teachers may soon be required to work more, delaying opportunities for reduced hours. This is causing unease among those affected.
Will he give in? Saxony's Minister of Education, Conrad Clemens (CDU). Photo: Frank Grätz | SMK
Saxony's Minister of Education, Conrad Clemens (CDU), is signaling a willingness to compromise on the hotly debated issue of reduced hours for older teachers. Previously, teachers received a one-hour reduction per week starting at age 58, two hours at 60, and three hours at 61. The new proposal suggests this arrangement would not begin until age 63, provoking discontent among teachers. Clemens expressed a willingness to find a compromise in the state parliament.
«We want to create a special incentive for those over 63 to receive more reduction hours, up to six if they work full time.»
"Yes, we are postponing the reduction hours. However, we are not taking anything away from anyone. The reduction hours one has, one retains. We are simply shifting them to the time after 63," said Clemens. He noted that 92 percent of teachers retire early. "We want to create a special incentive for those over 63 to receive more reduction hours, up to six if they work full time."
"I am willing to talk, and especially on the topic of reduction hours, we will speak with all representatives again to see if we cannot find another compromise here," Clemens said.
Representatives of the unions reject the current plans and have announced resistance (News4teachers reported). Criticism was also voiced during the debate in parliament. Representatives from several factions expressed the view that postponing the reduction hours would lead even more teachers to retire early.
Clemens recently proposed 21 measures to ensure instruction, aiming to halve the number of canceled classes. Currently, at least 1,400 full-time teachers are needed to fully cover all classes. In the first half of the 2024/2025 school year, 9.4 percent of classes were canceled. News4teachers / with material from dpa
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Summary:
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I hope this meets your requirements. Let me know if you would like any further revisions or refinements.
