Primary education in Brabant and Limburg is on strike en masse
Almost all primary schools in Brabant and Limburg are closed today. Thousands of teachers came to the action meetings in Eindhoven and Sittard to stand up for more salary and less work pressure.
Picture: Fred van Diem
What are we? ANGRY.
What do we want less? WORKLOAD.
What do we want more? SALARY.
And that's why we keep going!
This morning there is no misunderstanding on Stadhuisplein in Eindhoven: teachers in primary and special education are fed up. Something has to be done to make their work feasible and attractive. After the massive campaigns in the Northern Netherlands and the provinces of Utrecht, Noord-Holland and Flevoland, almost all primary schools in Limburg and Brabant are closed today.
“I am here mainly because the work pressure is too great,” says teacher Corrie Kremer of Leerrijk primary school. “All those different action plans that you have to draw up. And all those innovations that tumble over each other. It is too much. But then I am 63 ”, she laughs. To add: "Be sure to ask my younger colleagues why they are here."
All those different action plans that you have to draw up. And all those innovations that tumble over each other. It is too much.
Before the question can be asked, the reporter already receives a pamphlet from Kremer's colleague. An offer for a free surveillance turn at primary school Leerrijk. How so? “At our school there is a discussion about surveillance,” explains Hellen Verbugt - who has been teaching for only two years. “We are actually entitled to a half hour break. But we have a continuous schedule, so we have lunch with the children. Surveillance is required in other breaks. Our breaks are delayed. ” Just one example of the work pressure that teachers experience, even if they have not yet had a long career in education.
Thousands of teachers at the Stadhuisplein in Eindhoven. Picture: Fred van Diem
Future
Eleven-year-old Anne has yet to start a career at all. But it is still on the Stadhuisplein. She is with her mother who is a teacher in a substitute pool. “Because we are the future”, says Anne wisely. Her group 7 of primary school De Stokland in Son en Breugel has 32 students. “Those are too many children to pay attention to,” she says.
Anne is not the only non-teacher to support teaching staff. Via a video message, actor and director Frank Lammers addresses the strikers with his typical Brabant accent. As a parent, he tells the teachers: "Continue!"
https://www.facebook.com/AOb.nl/videos/1681418875258401/
And that is exactly what the thousands of protesters are planning. “I am in scale LA and I think I earn at least 200 euros net extra per month. Then the salary would be more in line with my sense of justice. Moreover: that is the only way to get men in the classroom again ”, says Lotte Monteiro from primary school De Springplank. “We now have one man at school. He is 63 and will retire next year. In recent years, I have seen a lot of talent flow into secondary education or higher positions. While we need talent for the class. ”
In recent years I have seen a lot of talent flow to secondary education or higher positions. While we need talent for the class.
It is indeed a matter of looking for men in primary education. Also on the Stadhuisplein. With a child on his arm and one in the hand, group 4 teacher Richard Smulders is an exception. “My wife also works in education. She guards the pram further on, ”he laughs. The whole family is present because they believe that the salary gap must be closed. “And the workload really needs to change. There are meetings almost every afternoon, or parents who want to talk to you. Just sitting quietly and doing your thing - thinking, preparing lessons - is almost impossible. ”
Striking teachers in Eindhoven. Picture: Fred van Diem
Lousy
And that for a lousy salary, emphasizes the host of this meeting, musician and writer Frans Pollux. “Who's in LA”, he asks the protesters. The lion's share of the fingers goes up. “How do you make ends meet ?!” he wonders aloud.
Strikers could register in the morning of April 13 at the AObtent in Eindhoven. Or at one of the walk-in points at schools in Breda, Tilburg, Den Bosch, Weert, Roermond or Bunde. In the afternoon there was a second strike meeting in Sittard. Hundreds of Limburgers working in primary education expressed their dissatisfaction there. A total of 3500 strikers attended the meetings in Eindhoven and Sittard. Teaching staff could also register in Sittard. Digital registration is the shortest blow: www.aob.nl / task.
Teachers are also campaigning in Sittard. Picture: Fred van Diem
At the end of the manifestations, the strike baton was passed on to Gelderland and Overijssel. Primary education there will end on Wednesday 30 May.
