Ordinance on the Personnel Law of Elementary School Teachers (VPVL) - Fixed Employment Scope (VPVL)

1. The employment relationship of the primary school teacher is concluded for a fixed employment level.

2. If the workload fluctuates

a) an employment relationship is established as a basis with an employment level corresponding to the permanent part of the position;

b) fixed-term employment relationships are established as a supplement.

1. The responsibility for the class is assigned to a teacher.

2. The employment level of the class teacher is at least 45 percent in kindergarten, and at least 50 percent in primary school, small classes, as well as at the secondary level.

1. The class responsibility can be jointly assigned to two teachers.

1. Anyone who holds a recognized teaching diploma from a university of education for at least six subjects of primary school is equally qualified for all subjects of primary school.

2. Anyone who holds a recognized teaching diploma from a university of education for at least three subjects of high school is equally qualified for all subjects of high school.

3. Anyone who holds a recognized teaching diploma from a university of education for fewer than six subjects of primary school or three subjects of high school may temporarily teach additional subjects within the scope of the employment relationship for the subjects for which a teaching diploma exists.

1. On the Advertisement

a) may be waived in urgent cases. A fixed-term employment relationship is established;

b) may be waived for an employment level of less than 30 percent.

1. Prior to the conclusion of the employment contract, references are obtained from the last place of employment.

2. If references cannot be obtained, confirmation of professional admission is obtained in the canton where the teaching diploma was issued.

3. An inquiry with the General Secretariat of the Swiss Conference of Cantonal Ministers of Education (EDK) remains reserved to determine whether the professional admission has been reported as revoked.

1. The employment contract pertains to activities in all fields of work. The application of Art. 78quater para. 1 letter c of the Elementary School Act remains reserved.

1. The Employment Contract Mentions

a) the type of activity;

b) whether the employment relationship is permanent or temporary, and the duration of any temporary employment;

c) the level of employment;

d) whether and to what extent class responsibility is held;

e) the weighting of work areas within the ranges according to the regulations of the Education Council;

f) whether, as an exception, despite class responsibility, the lesser weighting of the work area of teaching and the greater weighting of the work area of students are waived, and the justification for such waiver;

g) a job-sharing arrangement and the other teaching staff member.

1. If Art. 1 para. 2 of this decree is applicable, an employment contract is concluded for each employment relationship. The weighting of the activity in the fields of work is generally the same in both contracts.

2. The employment contract for the fundamental employment relationship is governed by Art. 8 of this decree.

3. The employment contract for the supplementary employment relationship shall mention

a) that the position is not permanent due to the uncertain development of student numbers;

b) that the employment relationship is temporary, and its duration;

c) the employment level.

1. The employment contract is signed by the school board or the competent municipal authority on one side and by the teacher on the other side.

1. A certificate is issued at the end of the employment relationship.

2. The certificate

a) describes the duration and nature of the employment relationship as well as the duties based on the weighting of the fields of work[12];

b) evaluates performance and conduct.

1. A Confirmation is Issued

a) when the employment degree was less than 30 percent;

b) when a fixed-term employment relationship lasted a maximum of four weeks;

c) upon request of the teacher.

2. The confirmation describes the employment relationship in accordance with Art. 11 para. 2 letter a of this decree.

1. Annual Working Hours

a) amount to 1,906 hours for a 100 percent employment level;

b) are reduced proportionally to the employment level.

1. During non-teaching periods, the teacher is responsible, through self-organization, for

a) Taking vacation time in the amount customary in a comparable professional environment;

b) Compensating for working hours that exceed the customary amount during the teaching period in a comparable professional environment;

c) Preparing and reviewing work related to the field of teaching during the teaching period;

d) Working in the areas related to students, the school, and themselves as a teacher.

2. They take into account coordination within the faculty.

1. The age relief is granted in the field of teaching.

2. It amounts to the following percentages of annual working time for the school year in which the teacher reaches the age of

a) 56 years, 6.286 percent;

b) 61 years, 9.429 percent.

3. It does not apply to an employment level of less than 30 percent.

1. The teacher may be assigned additional teaching duties of up to two lessons due to operational reasons for a maximum duration of three school years.

2. The scope and duration of the additional teaching duties are specified in the supplementary employment contract.

3. No additional teaching duties are assigned in cases of age-related workload reduction. The school board may grant exceptions if these are necessary in the interest of the school.

1. The teacher offsets additional lessons, in agreement with the employer, within three years through a corresponding reduction in the number of lessons to be given.

2. If an offset according to paragraph 1 of this provision is exceptionally impossible, the additional lessons provided will be compensated. The compensation amounts to 3.143 percent of the annual salary per weekly lesson in the year.

1. Transfer and Compensation of Additional Teaching Do Not Alter the Weighting of Work Areas According to the Employment Contract.

1. Additional work in the areas of students, school, or teacher, which cannot be compensated through weighting of the work fields in the employment contract in exceptional cases, shall be compensated.

2. The compensation per working hour amounts to 0.525 per mille of the annual salary.

1. The school administration demonstrates to the school authority the impossibility of balancing by weighting the fields of work.

2. The school administration may order the teacher to provide proof of additional work in terms of content and scope.

1. Any person teaching without a recognized teaching diploma or an equivalent qualification shall receive 85 percent of the salary of salary class 1 for the instruction provided.

2. The school authority may increase the salary to up to salary class 13 for the instruction provided, each at 85 percent of the salary.

1. Whoever provides higher-paid instruction than what corresponds to the teaching diploma or an equivalent qualification shall receive

a) the salary of Class 1 for the instruction provided;

b) the salary according to the recognized teaching diploma or equivalent qualification as soon as it is higher.

2. Whoever provides lower-paid instruction than what corresponds to the recognized teaching diploma or an equivalent qualification, or who is certified or equivalently qualified for a group of subjects and temporarily teaches additional subjects within the scope of the employment relationship for which a teaching diploma exists, shall receive the salary for the instruction provided.

1. A person who conducts specialized teaching with an officially recognized teaching diploma or a qualification equivalent to such for the subject shall receive

a) the salary of a primary school teacher if

1. teaching takes place in kindergarten or primary school;

2. teaching takes place at the secondary level or in special classes, and the teaching diploma is recognized as a Bachelor's degree;

b) the salary of a secondary school teacher if teaching takes place at the secondary level or in special classes, and the teaching diploma is recognized as a Master's degree.

2. ...

1. Anyone who teaches in various capacities shall receive their salary on a pro-rata basis.

1. Anyone entering into an employment relationship for the first time or after a break will be assigned to a salary class based on their creditable years of work. Exceptions are

a) a suspension of step increases within the salary classes of state personnel by the government if the financial situation of the canton or the economic situation requires it. The Department of Education informs which calendar years do not allow for creditable years of work;

b) a waiver of promotion to the next salary class due to unsatisfactory performance.

2. The teacher and the municipality where they have taught are obligated to provide information regarding creditable years of work.

3. Anyone who changes employment during the calendar year will remain in the previous salary class until the end of the calendar year.

1. Each calendar year is credited as follows

a) as a full working year for working hours of 700 hours or more;

b) as a half working year

1. other principal professional activity of 6 months or more;

2. child-rearing in the family for 6 months or more.

2. Other principal professional activity or child-rearing in the family is creditable for kindergarten, primary, and specialized instruction starting from the completion of the 22nd year of age, and for secondary and small class instruction starting from the completion of the 24th year of age.

3. If neither sufficient working hours nor other principal professional activity or child-rearing in the family are creditable for a calendar year, the working hours of that calendar year will be added to the working hours of the following calendar year.

1. The salary of wage classes 1 and 2 shall be increased to the amount of wage class 3 for kindergarten and primary school teachers.

1. The teacher shall be promoted to the next salary class at the beginning of the next calendar year, provided they demonstrate good performance and can be credited with a working year for the current year pursuant to Article 26 of this decree.

1. Relevant for the payment of a loyalty bonus and for the completion of the intensive further education pursuant to Art. 6 of the Act on the Salary of Primary School Teachers are the years of service performed at the public primary school or a recognized private special school in the canton of St. Gallen.

1. The Department of Education may grant contributions from the canton to the convents within the framework of the budget.