"Being on revaluation for supporters"
The janitor, the teaching assistant, the scheduler or the IT employee: they are the indispensable links in the school. Their role has only become more important. But what do they themselves think of their duties, salary and appreciation?
Source: Typetank
Esther Gigengack works in a team of three roster makers at the regional school community Broklede in Breukelen and she really likes that. Affinity with computer programs, analytical insight, alternation between fast jobs and large projects, it all comes together in this job. "Making schedules is a puzzle and I like that."
Rosalinde Stins is a teaching assistant at the Fontein, a small primary school in Lelystad. She arrives before eight and works with the team. “If a student gets stuck in his behavior, I sit down. I can focus purely on the children, and that is what I enjoy doing the most. I don't have to write plans or attend meetings. I see how hard teachers have to work and the responsibility they bear. ”
Cut back
The role of support staff has only become more important. Inside and outside the classroom. Although cutbacks often mean that there is much more need for extra hands in the classroom than the budget allows. With the new investments announced by the Rutte III cabinet, this seems likely to change in the long term at least for primary education.
“In recent years, cuts have mainly been made on the oop,” said AObsector manager of primary education Anton Bodegraven. "Due to the teacher shortage and the high workload of teachers, the appeal to the support staff present has increased." Supporters see that more and more tasks end up on their plate, according to research.
Appreciation
Many job descriptions are due for renewal, says Ton Tummers, member of the oop group board at the AOb and even roostermaker by profession. In addition, supporters cite a lack of career opportunities within the school organization as a shortcoming. Another sound that Tummers hears from supporters is that they lack appreciation.
De AOb wants to review the job descriptions and job evaluations of support functions during the negotiations for the new collective labor agreements in primary, secondary and secondary vocational education. “We are committed to a revaluation for the OOP,” said AOb- daily driver for the MBO Tamar van Gelder.
What do support staff themselves think of their work, their salary and the appreciation? Read it in this cover story of the Education Magazine.
