AOb: Mini subsidies for workload miss the mark
There is a lot of criticism from education about the mini-subsidies of eight thousand euros that the Ministry of Education is distributing to fifty primary and special schools for reducing the workload. A drop in the ocean, according to the AOb. Moreover, the board, and not the teachers themselves, has the final say. “The ministry misjudges the mood in education”, responds AObdriver Eugenie Stolk.
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Last Saturday launched Minister Slob organized a subsidy round in primary education in which four hundred thousand euros will be distributed to tackle the workload. The press release mentions 'a helping hand'. Of the seven thousand schools, fifty schools will ultimately receive an amount of no more than eight thousand euros. Applications will be processed in order of receipt from 15 January. In other words: first come, first served.
A condition for the subsidy is that teachers are involved in the plans, according to the same press release. What does that mean in concrete terms? The application must state how the personnel will be involved. But from the grant itself it appears that the applicants do not have to request approval from the staff section of the participation council (pmr). The board and the school director have the final say in the application. The school leader signs on behalf of the staff.
It's about the principle, even if it's only eight thousand euros per school. In the end, it is about four hundred thousand euros in education money
“I find that incomprehensible”, responds AObdriver Eugenie Stolk. “It is based on good faith, but in practice that sometimes goes wrong. That's why I prefer to see clear guarantees. What the AOb the signature of the pmr is a condition. We all want teachers to have more control over how education money is used. They know how best to do this. Let them also participate in the decision. It is about the principle, even if it is only eight thousand euros per school. Ultimately, it is about four tons of education money. ”
Legacy
The funding round has been greeted with cynicism on social media in recent days. On behalf of coalition party D66 distanced Member of Parliament Paul van Meenen quickly rejected the initiative. The scheme is, so let OCW know, a legacy of the previous cabinet and is separate from the plans presented by the new cabinet.
To alleviate the high workload in primary education, said the current cabinet of VVD, CDA, D66 and Christenunie adds 430 million euros. But that amount will only come in three years, from 2021. For the current year 2018, only 10 million is available. That amount increases step by step. Education is taking action to promote investments, but Education Minister Slob says he has no money for this.
Moreover, with the 'helping hand', OCW misses the point, argues Stolk. “It is being brought as a stepping stone to those 430 million. I think the ministry is misjudging the mood in primary education. The need is great, the workload is now over. Teachers do not need a one-off 'gift', we want structural solutions. That is why teachers are taking action. The willingness to take action is thus only increased. ”
Supervisors
The fictional sample applications on the subsidy website do not do the picture any good. 'We notice within the team that everyone experiences the workload as high, but would like to investigate exactly what caused it', the schools are asked as a question. In the illustration requests (example a en two) most of the subsidy money goes to external supervisors. 200 euros per day is charged for the free roster of a teacher. For engaging an advisor 1.100+ euros.
I'm afraid that this money mainly benefits consultants and consultancies
AObdirector Eugenie Stolk: “Teachers generally know very well where the workload comes from and how it can be reduced. When I ask a team for solutions, they all say smaller classes and more hands in the classroom. But you can't do that with eight thousand euros. ”
“Of course you can also do something about the workload in other ways. I know of a school where the team decided to move away from a group plan that described each student in detail and had to be updated every day. With the support of their school leader. But you don't need a subsidy round for that. I am afraid that this money will mainly benefit consultants and consultancies ”, says Stolk.
