Kennemer College in conversation with teaching assistant about incident
Tomorrow, the Kennemerland Secondary Education Foundation (SVOK) wants to talk to teaching assistant Gerrit Keeman. Last week a video of a conflict between Keeman and a VMBO student went viral. The school then suspended two students and Keeman was also 'released from work'.
Picture: Type tank
In a message on the website reports the school board that they invited Keeman for an interview. Until then, the school does not want to comment in the media. 'We don't want to have the conversation through the media, but with each other.' The teaching assistant confirms that a meeting will take place on Wednesday and that he cannot say anything about it.
Last week, a video of the incident at Keeman's school appeared on the Dumpert website. A student filmed while the teaching assistant is arguing with another classmate who calls Keeman names and throws a crutch at him. The teaching assistant then grabs the cheeky student by the scruff of the neck.
Professional conduct
When the video was picked up nationwide, reported the school administrators that they think a line had been crossed on both sides. 'Acting during the incident is not in line with the professionalism that we advocate.' After the incident, Keeman was sent home and the students were suspended.
Against RTL News said the teaching assistant that he has difficulty with the way teachers are treated by both students and the board. 'Pupils no longer have respect for teachers. They are really rude and pampered. '
The school reports that Keeman has been sent home by mutual agreement and is exempt from work. He was due to retire in February. The teaching assistant himself says that it has not been discussed. The two students were allowed to return to school after a good conversation and an assignment.
Support
After the incident became nationally known, statements of support poured into Keeman. There was a petition started, which has already been drawn more than eight thousand times. Those who sign the petition are behind the teaching assistant. One response is: 'It's ridiculous that the teacher is being suspended...he's a hero! Tackle those bastards! Respect for the teachers!' In addition to the petition, money has also been collected for the teaching assistant.
The school says that it deliberately keeps itself in the background, because it wants to protect the privacy of its employees and students. The school acted 'on the one hand to be able to distance themselves and on the other hand to bring peace to the classroom. We still support these steps. '
