Teacher in the fight against dismissal: Verdict brings hope for everyone!

Teacher in the fight against dismissal: Verdict brings hope for everyone!

Birgit Pitschmann, a teacher from Saxony-Anhalt, has been fighting her controversial dismissal for over two years. This came after she refused to complete a controversial additional compulsory hour, the so-called advance hour. This case is causing quite a stir in the world of education because it is causing a stir among the teaching workforce and is throwing the door wide open to a debate about the teacher shortage.

The advance lesson, which has been in force since April 1, 2023, forces teachers to take an additional compulsory lesson per week so that schools can cushion the staff shortage. However, this cannot be the solution to all problems, as Pitschmann critically notes. She describes this regulation as a burden for teachers and not as a real solution to the serious teacher shortage in Saxony-Anhalt. Pitschmann, who had been working in school since 1991, defied this order and was then given a warning. She was terminated without notice on September 2, 2023, or alternatively on March 31, 2024, as Haufe reports.

A long process and personal challenges

The fight for her rights led Pitschmann into a long legal process. The labor court in Stendal ruled on June 20, 2024 that the termination was legal, which made the ruling even more complicated. Pitschmann had to experience how her termination not only led to a break with most of her colleagues, but also to financial worries and a ban on entry to her previous school. Despite these adverse circumstances, she received strong support from her 91-year-old mother, who always stood by her side and accompanied her through this difficult time.

What is particularly frustrating for Pitschmann is that she will have difficulty finding a new job in future application processes due to her burdened personnel file. However, their courage to defend themselves against the controversial regulation was not in vain. After the scandalous ruling by the labor court, a whole network of challenges arose that not only affected her professional career, but also her personal stability. She is currently working as a learning companion at a newly founded independent school and has regained the support she had lost.

A sign for other teachers

Pitschmann also sees her fight as a signal to other teachers who do not oppose the advance lesson. She criticizes the additional hours as insufficient and has repeatedly tried to contact political leaders, but without success. Their trust in the country's education administration has been severely damaged. She was particularly emotionally affected by the content of her termination, which emphasized the “irretrievable” relationship of trust. The words leave a bitter aftertaste that she can't easily shake off.

An ongoing labor court case is already underway in which Pitschmann is demanding appropriate compensation for the last two years of her struggles. Your lawyer has access to the court documents that ask the country to withdraw the termination. With her fighting spirit, she continues on this path and hopes for inner peace and a positive future perspective.

Overall, Birgit Pitschmann's case shows how challenging and complex the situation in the teaching profession can be. Teachers not only have to deal with their classes, but also with regulations that are often perceived as burdensome. The debate over advance lessons will certainly continue for a long time, and Pitschmann will be one of many voices calling for fairer treatment of teachers.