The general meeting of the Herisau teachers was shaped by special circumstances. A brief presentation on the compatibility of family and work completed the business.
The general meeting of the local teachers’ conference, which was announced for September, did not take place until the end of November – and in a special way: the teachers decided on elective and material matters in advance; Individual representatives from the school units brought the results to the auditorium of the Ebnet West school building. After three years as president, Martin Pfister was retired; he retired in the summer. With the improvement of the salaries of young teachers and the complete revision of the elementary school legislation, major challenges would arise. “The local conference must continue to position itself with pointed statements and must not be a mere administrative body.”
Like Pfister, Yvonne Strässle has left the Board of Management; she takes on a role in the cantonal executive board. Corinne Baer, Fredy Wick, Meta Büsser and Astrid Uzor remain on the board. Judith Schlumpf was newly elected. The presidium could not be filled, the board divides its tasks among itself. The gathering was framed by video recordings by the music ensemble «Talent Promotion Secondary School».
Eastern Switzerland harmonization as a goal
Markus Bänziger was a guest at the meeting. The director of the St.Gallen-Appenzell Chamber of Commerce and Industry gave a brief presentation on the subject of “Compatibility of family and work”. This was filmed and made available to the teachers. The companies have recognized the zeitgeist, he said. Bänziger mentioned, among other things, flexible work models, school and family options. “Everyone is challenged to find workable solutions.” In small communities it is probably more difficult, for example, to organize lunchtime childcare. “For parents and employers, harmonization with uniform teaching and attendance times in Eastern Switzerland would be a great advantage and our goal.”
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