Format stress at special primary schools
Director Desiree Middelkoop of the Van Houteschool in Amsterdam Southeast, a school for special primary education (SBO), has headaches: she has not yet found a teacher for half of her classes for the next school year. "The summer vacation will start in six weeks."
Picture: Type tank
Early this year wrote it Education magazine that because of the teacher shortage it is a crime for SBO schools to find well-qualified teachers. Board member Suzanne de Koning of SBOwerkverband then suggested a four-day school week for the entire special primary education as a solution.
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Schools are currently busy completing the formation. Director Desiree Middelkoop is looking for teachers very hard at the Van Houteschool. “It's about great jobs. Because we have many vacancies, people often think that something is going on at our school, but that is not the case. We are achieving good results, according to the Education Inspectorate, and we have a nice team. Perhaps that scares Southeast. ”
It's about cool jobs. Because we have many vacancies, people often think that something must be going on at our school, but that is not the case
Middelkoop has not yet found a teacher for three of the six groups. "You don't drive me crazy, but now I'm really worried." The school is dealing with two long-term sick employees. “This year I hired two freelancers to take care of that. That is how we made it this school year. I have offered them a permanent contract, but they prefer to remain independent and that is their right. ” A class has also been divided over the other groups for a number of weeks and an ib'er is standing in front of the class. "But then she cannot work on the quality of education."
Registrations
At HKC De Wereldboom in Amsterdam, school leader Ine van Vuuren is also busy with the formation. She is looking for four full-time teachers and is concerned. “We received a lot more registrations,” says Van Vuuren. “I would like to give all those children a suitable place and create extra groups, but I can't get it done yet. These are vulnerable children, so it makes me worry. Those students are then put on a waiting list and have to stay at their regular primary school until then, while they actually have to go to special education. ”
I would like to give all those children a suitable place and create extra groups, but I can't get it done yet
There are now so many jobs in education that people choose the 'best', thinks Van Vuuren. "You really have to want the SBO and if you can get started somewhere in regular education, you might do that faster." The city of Amsterdam is also difficult, the school leader thinks. "It's an expensive city." As a school leader, Van Vuuren is now also teaching the class for three days.
If Van Vuuren has not yet been able to find anyone before the end of June, she will have to change tack. “We never use employment agencies, but at some point you have to. There must also be a limit somewhere on which I am going to say that unfortunately we have no place for a student. You don't want that, we are on earth to help. But then you have to weigh up the wish and what is possible. "
