Civic integration teachers feel abandoned
No new rules are needed to improve the employment conditions of NT2 teachers in integration education. That writes outgoing Minister Lodewijk Asscher of Social Affairs to the House of Representatives. Nt2 teachers, who teach new Dutch people our language, feel abandoned.
Since the introduction of market forces in integration, many private course providers have entered the market. Teachers have been complaining for a long time about the low remuneration and the lack of legal certainty that they face. In addition, the course locations and facilities regularly leave a lot to be desired. In addition, the teachers observe large differences in level in a group.
Quite
At the beginning of this year, a research of the Court of Audit says that there is quite a bit wrong with integration: the success rates are low, the quality of education is inadequate, and the training market is not transparent for course participants. Newcomers have had to arrange their integration course themselves since 2013, but they are losing track in the maze of language agencies.
A number of teachers united in the Committee NT2 (Dutch as a Second Language) rang the bell last May. They started one petition. Two of them, Marianne Bauman and Daniëlle Robben, are described their experiences in Loyalty. 'Most of the teachers work on temporary contracts, zero-hours contracts, for a maximum of two consecutive years for the same client, as a self-employed person, or with a payroll contract. Most contracts include minimum terms of employment," they wrote. 'Teachers work for different companies, at different locations, with small contracts, without team building. Teachers with permanent contracts are played off against teachers with zero-hour contracts and self-employed people without employees.' The SP asked parliamentary questions.
Teachers work for different companies, at different locations, with small contracts, without team building. Teachers with permanent contracts are played off against teachers with zero-hour contracts and self-employed people without employees.
Research
Minister Asscher finds intervention not necessary, it appears from his answer. 'In the Netherlands everyone is protected by laws and regulations. In addition, there are options for making collective agreements in the form of a collective labor agreement. If there are any misconduct, it is important that those involved report this. Shortcomings can first be discussed between employer and employee. However, there will be an investigation into the level differences in course groups. The minister also says that there will be more supervision of the quality of the lessons.
Bauman and Robben are disappointed, they said by email last night. 'We experience that we have nothing to discuss with the employer. Anyone who is somewhat critical is considered difficult and would rather lose an employer than get rich. Because we are not covered by a collective labor agreement and we often work with zero-hour contracts, the law does not provide sufficient legal protection. There is a culture of fear. Lecturers do not dare to say anything, because then you run the risk that your contract will not be extended or that you will not receive new assignments. We have already experienced this several times. '
