Distributing lessons fairly among teachers

4 min read

Teachers rarely complain about the number of lessons alone — it's the shape of the week: a day with five lessons in a row and an almost empty one. Fair distribution respects the load first, then the shape of each teacher's day.

Set the load per job title

Teacher, senior teacher, head of department and deputy each have a different weekly load under your ministry's instructions. Write it once and apply it to everyone so there are no accidental exceptions.

Account for reductions and duties

A teacher with a late start, an early leave or admin duties at set times has those periods blocked before lessons are placed, not after.

Spread lessons over the days

Split a teacher's weekly lessons as evenly as possible: 18 lessons over 5 days means days of three or four, not one day of six.

Leave rest between lessons

Two in a row is fine when needed, but long unbroken runs tire teachers and hurt teaching. Exceptions: double lessons and subjects that need two periods together.

Compare within each department

Compare the first and last periods, long days and cover lessons of teachers in the same department. Balance inside a department avoids friction.

Tips

Show the load plan to the head of department before the final generation.
Gadwaly checks every load, warns about over- and under-loading, spreads each teacher's lessons over the week and gives them rest between lessons automatically.

Questions

What's the difference between load and actual lessons?

The load is what the job title requires; the actual lessons are what was assigned. Any difference needs a decision — extra cover lessons or moving a lesson to a colleague.

Should every teacher get a free day?

It isn't required, but you can add it as an optional rule when the number of lessons allows.