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Music school in need: Court ruling threatens the future of the lecturers!
A court ruling is forcing music schools in Märkisch-Oderland to employ paid staff on a permanent basis, which is fueling fears about their existence.
Music school in need: Court ruling threatens the future of the lecturers!
A groundbreaking court ruling is putting the music schools in Brandenburg in massive distress! The Federal Social Court has decided that fee-based staff at music schools can no longer be considered self-employed but must be permanently employed. This decision could mean the end of many institutions, including the Hugo Distler music school in Petershagen/Eggersdorf, where over 90 percent of the lecturers are affected. Headmaster Alexander Braun warns: “The additional costs are so exorbitant that many providers cannot afford it!”
The financial consequences are alarming. Braun estimates that the music school would have to raise an additional around 200,000 euros to meet the new requirements. This could lead to the school being closed! But it's not just schools that are under pressure - teachers themselves are also worried. Many freelancers, like piano teacher Ralf Ehrlich, have consciously decided to become self-employed and do not want to switch to permanent employment. “I have to think about it and come up with a plan B,” says Ehrlich, who has been teaching for eight years.
Fear of existence and higher costs for students
The uncertainty is growing! Teacher Janina Press expresses her concerns: "As a freelance worker, you're always afraid. It's difficult to find a job." If the ruling is implemented, there will not only be a risk of higher school fees, but also a decline in the number of offers. Headmaster Braun urgently calls for a reaction from the legislature: "We have to maintain the status we have. We need our fee-based teachers!"
The ruling, known as the “Herrenberg verdict,” has already tightened the German pension insurance’s testing standards. The Verdi union is now calling for a longer transition period until the end of 2026 to enable an orderly conversion of employment relationships. The upcoming negotiations in December could be crucial for the future of music schools!