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Teacher fired after 40 years: fight for justice breaks out!
Birgit Pitschmann from the Altmarkkreis Salzwedel is fighting for compensation after being fired because she was denied additional hours.
Teacher fired after 40 years: fight for justice breaks out!
The case of primary school teacher Birgit Pitschmann is causing a stir in Saxony-Anhalt. After almost 40 years in education, she lost her job because she refused to do an additional teaching period introduced by the state. This so-called anticipation lesson was intended to increase the teaching hours of primary school teachers from 27 to 28. Pitschmann herself said that she was already at her limits without this additional burden. On September 1, 2025, the Federal Administrative Court in Leipzig made a judgment and declared the obligation to provide additional lessons unlawful because it constituted an overstepping of the state government's authority, as MDR reported.
Pitschmann fought for her professional future after she was initially warned and then fired for her refusal. The termination without notice of September 2, 2023 was declared invalid by the labor court in Stendal. On the other hand, the ordinary termination on March 31, 2024 was recognized as legal. Pitschmann appealed, which is now being examined by the Halle State Labor Court. Next Monday, the state of Saxony-Anhalt has a deadline to respond to the court's letter, which could possibly result in the termination being withdrawn, according to reports News4Teachers
The new workplace and the challenges
Although Pitschmann now works as a deputy headteacher at a free school in Lower Saxony, she has to live with a lower salary. Unlike before in Saxony-Anhalt, she sees the current situation as a challenge, which is primarily characterized by the unexpected dismissals and the subsequent legal dispute. Your lawyer sees the current developments as positive indications of possible compensation. Pitschmann emphasizes that the way she was handled sends a clear message not only to her, but also to other teachers.
“Reparations are needed,” explained Pitschmann, making it clear that her situation is exemplary for many teachers who are put under similar pressure. The Education Minister of Saxony-Anhalt, Jan Riedel, has already made an appeal to teachers on the matter of the advance lesson and has promised a legally secure new regulation. The Education and Science Union (GEW) has highlighted the Federal Administrative Court's ruling as an important step for the rights of teachers and is committed to improving conditions in the education sector, as can be read on Arbeitsvertrag.org.
The role of trade unions
The GEW has not only campaigned for Pitschmann, but for all teachers. Their demands include free places in daycare centers, strengthening inclusion and fairer treatment of teachers. These issues are central for the GEW to achieve an education policy that benefits all children. Supporting teachers in their employment law disputes is a core task, as legal protection is often crucial in heated discussions about working conditions.
Birgit Pitschmann's case remains exciting and it remains to be seen how the State Labor Court reacts to the current developments. Whether this means the end of their difficulties or whether new hurdles arise remains to be seen. However, one thing is certain: the need for information about the rights and obligations of teachers is greater than ever. Such cases are emblematic of the challenges that the education system in Germany has to face.