Request for fair fees: Barnim music school in the crisis!

Request for fair fees: Barnim music school in the crisis!

Barnim, Deutschland - The situation of the fee teachers at the Barnim music school is heading. On July 16, 2025, a petition started directly to the district administrator and the district council Barnim. The background is the precarious working conditions from which many teachers suffer. According to an open letter from Janco Bystron from January 2023, these circumstances show significant effects: a emigration of highly qualified teachers towards Berlin and Oberhavel, where better working conditions and perspectives attract. This trend was discussed again in an article from MOZ in March 2025.

Despite the announcement of a fee increase for 2024, the situation has not improved since the open letter. In July 2024, the intended increase was withdrawn due to the so-called "Herrenberg judgment", which contributes to uncertainty among the teachers. Many freelance teachers hope for a regular job that would offer better social security. A declaration of approval for the approval of fee activity, which at the same time addresses the waiver of social security obligations, also unsettles the teachers.

demands of the petition

The petition makes clear demands:

• an immediate adaptation of the fees for freelance teachers at the level of the music schools in Oder-Havel and Berlin.
• A clear perspective for employee -like fee relationships and employment subject to social security contributions.
• an increase in the teaching fees for the fair financing of wages for over 15 years.

The Barnim music school has a central role as educational and cultural institutions in the region, and the quality of the lessons depends crucially on the teachers. The departure of experienced educators has serious consequences for the musical education of children and adolescents in the region. It is a clear wish that there is a dialogue with those responsible, which has so far remained unanswered.

The way to better conditions

The pressure on those responsible not only grows locally. The need for permanent teachers is also required at the national level. German pension insurance data shows that in many cases developments are reported in the direction of employment at music schools subject to social security contributions. In this context, the ver.di trade union has pointed out the importance of fixed jobs and demands a rethink so as not to let the teachers work further on a fee basis. However, many music schools are forced to capture the model for financial reasons.

The path for fair conditions is long, but other counties prove that better working conditions are possible. It is due to the municipalities and countries to take responsibility and provide the necessary financial means to ensure the quality of musical education. In many conversations and discussions it becomes clear that it is time to find a fundamentally new solution that offers teachers both recognition and a fair remuneration.

For further information and to support the petition, interested parties can find out more here: Petition, while the contents of the challenges of Honorary forces on ver.di . So there is a lot to do to return the teachers what they earn: fair conditions and adequate payment.