Teacher's Union Sees School Leaders at Breaking Point - Rhineland-Palatinate principals drown in workloads despite government relief plans
School principals in Rhineland-Palatinate are facing growing pressure, with nearly all reporting overwhelming workloads and limited time for core duties. A recent survey reveals that 96% struggle with expanding responsibilities, while 93% cite chronic time shortages and societal challenges as major stressors. Despite this, the state government has announced new measures to ease their burden.
The annual Forsa survey, conducted between September 15 and October 17, gathered responses from 1,312 principals nationwide, including 113 from Rhineland-Palatinate. Results showed that 86% of local principals feel they lack time for school development and leadership. Meanwhile, 45% admit they can only occasionally—or never—fulfil their duties due to heavy workloads and teacher shortages.
On average, schools in the region are short by 0.8 teaching staff, with 60% relying on instructors without formal teaching qualifications. Despite these challenges, 80% of principals report strong job satisfaction, though only 38% would recommend the profession to others.
In response, Education Minister Sven Teuber has outlined plans to reduce bureaucratic strain. The government will simplify public procurement, launch a digital funding platform for school construction, and allow municipalities to test new approaches through temporary exemptions from state rules. About one-third of these changes are expected by the end of 2025.
The state is also investing in extra staff, professional training, and initiatives like the Startchancen programme. However, the VBE teachers’ union insists more is needed. Their demands include dedicated leadership time, more administrative support, permanent teaching roles, and multidisciplinary teams in every school. State chairman Lars Lamowski stressed that principals need 'breathing room' to shape their schools’ futures.
The government’s measures aim to free principals from paperwork and give them more time for strategic work. With teacher shortages and rising workloads still unresolved, the success of these reforms will depend on their implementation. The VBE continues to push for broader structural changes to support school leaders in the long term.
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