(L-R): Jean-Paul Kertz, Dirk Kirschten, both General Federation of Municipal Services; Laurent Clement, Association of National Education Officers; Minister Claude Meisch; Minister Taina Bofferding; Luc Wildanger, Association of National Education Office;
Credit: MENEJ
Luxembourg's Minister of the Interior, Taina Bofferding, and the Minister of National Education, Children and Youth, Claude Meisch, have reached an agreement with the unions (Association des responsible de l national education (ACEN) and General Federation of the municipal function (FGFC)) on the reclassification of teachers in municipal music education; this agreement is part of the bill on music education adopted on Friday 16 July by the Government cabinet.
The importance of music, dance and the performing arts in the personal development of children and young people requires that the profession be recognised and rightly revalued, the ministers said.
The bill reforming music education provides that teachers in municipal music education are hired at the bachelor's level, in the A2 compensation group, at a level of remuneration representing a clear improvement compared to the current situation.
Lecturers E1 / C1, E2 / B1, E3 / A2 or A1 / E3 contractually hired as an employee or municipal employee at the time of the entry into force of the bill (September 2022) will have their careers reclassified from 1 January 2023 in compensation groups C1, B1 and A2 as defined by the Grand-Ducal regulation to be adopted in execution of the bill reforming music education.
Holders of a master's degree or equivalent, currently classified in the A1 / E3 career, will therefore be reclassified in the A2 compensation group. At the same time, they will be reclassified by promotion in the newly-created A1 compensation group, without any additional conditions than their diploma.
The two ministers concerned, together with the unions, have agreed on this mechanism which will allow A1 / E3 music teachers to be recognised both for their diploma and their experience.
Minister Meisch stated “this agreement on the career of music education teachers represents real recognition of their diploma, their skills and their essential role with young people. Young people who are stimulated, developed and enriched by music, dance or the arts of speech, thus contributing to their well-being. The agreement also ends the inequality of careers that has existed for many years. I thank ACEN and the FGFC for our productive discussions in favour of the lecturers in music education."
Minister Bofferding concluded "that it was essential for the government to find an agreement with the ACEN and FGFC unions and for those concerned, while respecting social dialogue. We welcome the improvements made to the music instructors, although these have taken a bit of time. Finding such an agreement reflects the desire of the ministries involved to provide high quality music education at all levels, by qualified, passionate and motivated teachers, with a view to the development of the child."
