Is there a way to ensure a compulsory slot for all teachers minimum one day?

[pg788]

At my college, every teacher is required to have at least one 3-4 PM slot in the week. Is there a way to include this constraint? Basically I want something like an opposite of the "maximum" internal hours for teachers.

[Volker Dirr]

why is that required?

if all teachers must teach at that time, then you also need at least as many students/groups. In most school there are much more teachers then groups. So in most schools such an request is impossible.

i suggest to answer the first question, because then we can (maybe) find easy workarounds. (like adding dummy activities)

[Liviu Lalescu]

I think you can use constraint activities occupy max time slots from selection. See the constraint's help button. I also attach a very small example for what you need. I hope I am not mistaking.

[pg788]

why is that required?

if all teachers must teach at that time, then you also need at least as many students/groups. In most school there are much more teachers then groups. So in most schools such an request is impossible.

i suggest to answer the first question, because then we can (maybe) find easy workarounds. (like adding dummy activities)

Thanks for the prompt reply.

That's just a rule to ensure that all teachers have a balanced timetable, and a small group of teachers doesn't "corner" the sought-after morning slots. I should explain this better though.
Let's say there are five teachers in the college. Everyone is required to have at least one 3-4 slot. It need not be the same slot though. One teacher can have a 3-4 on Monday, the other on Tuesday and Wednesday and so on.
I don't think a dummy activity can work. The teacher needs to be engaged at that time (3-4), not have a gap. More precisely, she needs to have a lecture at that time, not even a practical class.

[pg788]

Hi!
I know there is an option for setting an hourly interval maximum days per week. Can a similar thing be achieved with minimum days? I would like all teachers to teach at least once or twice every week in the last hour.

I think you can use constraint activities occupy max time slots from selection. See the constraint's help button. I also attach a very small example for what you need. I hope I am not mistaking.

Like the previous post? Thanks for the example--will try out and get back to you.

[Volker Dirr]

I don't understand why that will balance the table. it is complicating it without a real benefit. But it is your timetable; if your teachers are satisfied with such an rule, it is ok. Livius solution should work.

i recommend to add other constraints to get a balanced timetable. (Like setting min and max hours, max work in an hourly intervall (first and last hours of an day), ...)