Teachers denounce a "strong feeling of unrest" at the Lycée Josy Barthel Mamer

In response, the ministry introduced a "life coach" to support staff feeling harassed and provided coaching for the management team.

However, these measures have not resolved the issues. One teacher, who wished to remain anonymous but whose identity is known to our journalists, told RTL that communication and organisational problems persist.

The anonymous teacher described the school’s management as fostering a toxic atmosphere, with staff facing pressure over "nonsense" matters, various forms of harassment, lack of respect, poor guidance, and catastrophic communication.

These comments do not seem exaggerated, as a recent survey by SEW, the OGBL teachers' union, confirms this unease despite the introduction of coaching services: 89% of the hundred or so teachers report a tense or very tense situation.

Union spokeswoman Vera Dockendorf expressed shock at the findings, stating, "We ourselves were quite stunned to see just how bad the atmosphere is at the high school," as quoted by radio 100.7.

As a result, some teachers are transferring to other schools, despite their preference to remain in Mamer. According to our information, around ten teachers are set to leave, including some who have been with the school since its opening 20 years ago.

The Ministry confirms a number of departures but adds a different perspective to these numbers: "Eight teachers want to leave the LJBM at the end of the school year, which is slightly more than the national average but quite comparable to other high schools. Additionally, 12 teachers have applied to join LJBM."

The Ministry reassured that this situation would not impact the start of the new school year, as the organisation of the school and the courses' quality would be maintained. In an email to RTL on Friday, the Ministry emphasised that this turnover is not unusual, noting that around 1% of teachers change schools each year – a very low rate compared to the teaching body as a whole – with reasons varying from one individual to another.

However, Minister Claude Meisch spoke to Radio 100.7 of a feeling of "unrest" at the establishment and described the situation as "worrying." In response, MP Francine Closener from the Luxembourg Socialist Workers' Party (LSAP) put forth a parliamentary question to the Minister, inquiring about his plans to address the issue. A further concerned teacher told RTL that "too many things have happened that shouldn't exist in the educational sphere, so measures need to be taken and, above all, consequences drawn."

Another teacher, who spoke to us anonymously, criticised the communication between management and staff: "Sometimes they have good ideas, but they don't manage to convey them to us in the right way. I also want to leave the establishment, and other colleagues have already made it known that they will no longer tolerate such contempt from those in charge. I must stress, though, that the atmosphere between the teachers and pupils is fine. We don't want to overdramatise things when there's no need to."

In an attempt to improve the situation, the Ministry plans to establish a "Complaints Commission." However, this measure has not convinced those affected, who fear that another year will be lost and that more teachers who are not causing the problem, will leave.
 
As previously mentioned by another witness, the pupils and their education remain unaffected by the tensions between the teachers and the management.

Additionally, a new study on the well-being of teachers in Luxembourg is set to be conducted, following a call from the unions. This comes after a previous study whose results were not adequately communicated to the main parties concerned, according to another source that was contacted by RTL for more information.