Report by Kamgar Ekta Committee (KEC) correspondent
About 4000 teachers as well as school psychologists took part in a warning strike on Tuesday, 7 February 2023 in Berlin, the capital of Germany. The strike was against increasing size of the classes in schools and vocational colleges.
The call for strike was given by Education and Scholarship Union (GEW). GEW was forced to give a call for strike due to widespread anger amongst teachers due to unmanageable conditions in schools and very large size of the classes.
GEW has demanded better working conditions, reduced workload and agreement on health protection for teachers and other school staff which will lead to smaller classes gradually.
It was pointed out that instead of 28 children, it should have only 22 children in the class to manage and give proper attention to each student. Due to large number of students in classes, teachers have to put in extra efforts leading to cases of burnt-out. It simply means a greater number of classes and hiring of a larger number of teachers.