German school law defines limits of teacher authority

In Germany, the legal authority of teachers to issue instructions and disciplinary measures is governed by state-specific school laws. According to experts from ARAG, all teacher directives must be based on a legal foundation, such as school regulations or specific state laws, and must remain appropriate and proportionate.

One frequent point of conflict involves the use of smartphones in class. If students violate school rules by using devices for calls or messaging, teachers may have the authority to temporarily confiscate the device. Depending on regional laws and school regulations, this confiscation can even extend through a weekend, provided the measure is proportionate and not used as a permanent punishment.