German Teacher Sues After Being Retired Amid Claims of 17 Years Without Teaching

A teacher in Duisburg, Germany, who reportedly has not set foot in a classroom for nearly 17 years, is challenging her mandatory retirement. The educator was placed on retirement by the Düsseldorf District Administration due to alleged health issues, but she has filed a lawsuit at the Administrative Court seeking to overturn the decision.

The case has drawn significant public attention in Germany, prompting discussions in the state parliament. According to available information, the teacher last taught in 2009 at a vocational school in Wesel. Since then, she has submitted medical certificates citing psychological problems as the reason for her inability to work. However, authorities allegedly failed to request additional medical evaluations to verify her condition.

Following public disclosure, disciplinary actions have been initiated against both the teacher and certain officials within the Düsseldorf District Administration suspected of negligence. The situation is considered unusual, with reports indicating the school principal, who took over after the teacher went on sick leave, never worked with her and did not know her. As a civil servant, she could have earned between 5,000 and 6,200 euros gross per month, though her exact salary was not officially disclosed.

While the Ministry of Education in North Rhine-Westphalia stated she no longer receives her full salary but rather a pension amount, a criminal investigation has also been launched. Duisburg prosecutors are examining allegations that she worked as an alternative therapist during her sick leave, despite claiming incapacity for her teaching role. Her apartment was searched as part of the investigation into potential illicit receipt of public funds.