Receiving class as a supporter: can you refuse that?
The teacher shortage puts a strain on the existing teaching staff. Employers ask their educational support staff to accommodate classes and their teachers to work longer hours. Can you actually refuse such a request? The Information and Advice Center (IAC) of the AOb answers.
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"I have to stand independently in front of the group, but is that allowed?" Several times a week AOb these kinds of questions from educational support staff. The answer is roughly: yes, provided it is incidental and there is no other solution available. “It shows good employeeship that you want to help the school and the children with a problem,” says Marlies Roemen, employee of the IAC. She therefore advises not to refuse. "You can indicate that you will perform the work under protest."
When the situation becomes structural, things change. Suppose you have been running a group independently for five Thursdays in a row, while you are not authorized to do so. In that case, it is advisable to talk to your manager. Also to ensure that you are paid for the extra tasks you do temporarily. But more importantly: find out who is responsible when something happens in the classroom. Roemen: "A qualified teacher must be appointed for that."
Extra day
If the employer asks you to work on days or times that you did not work before, it is reasonable enough that he takes your other obligations into account. For example, if you have care responsibilities on that day, you can decide in consultation not to accept the request. Or the employer must give you time to arrange things at home. In any case, everything must be done in consultation. IAC employee Romania: “We also receive emails from teachers who have increased the working time factor, without further communication about this. Of course that is not possible. You are going to talk about it together first. "
Suppose you have been running a group for five Thursdays in a row while you are not authorized to do so. In that case, it is advisable to talk to your manager
Incidents
The Education Inspectorate speaks of 'incidents' that are reported to the inspectorate by administrators or parents. Inspectors also sometimes encounter the consequences of the teacher shortage during their regular visits. Inspectorate spokesman Daan Jansen: "This not only concerns unauthorized persons in front of the class, but also classes that are sent home, that are joined together, or that the four-day working week in the Zaanstad region."
Previously, a school was given two weeks to resolve such a situation, now it is six. Jansen emphasizes that the inspectorate does not tolerate. "The basis remains the law, schools must comply with it." Sanctions in response to the teacher shortage have not yet been imposed, says Jansen. "If there is force majeure and a school has really done everything possible, then we do not impose sanctions. But so far these are temporary situations that will be resolved."
Emergency solutions
After the autumn break, education minister Arie Slob (ChristenUnie) will present a guideline containing possible emergency solutions in the event of understaffing. The Inspectorate already has one on its website list made of who is allowed to stand in front of the class according to the education law.
Are you a member of the AOb and do you have additional questions? Then contact it Information and Advice Center (IAC). You can always become a member, view the benefits here.
