A small proportion of unemployed teachers can return to the classroom
A small proportion, about 2.750 of the 11.000 primary school teachers who currently receive unemployment benefits, have the potential to return to the classroom. Conditions for return are a lower workload, smaller classes and less administration.
Image: Front cover of the Regioplan report
This is evident from the report 'Silent reserve in the WW. Research into the potential for reintegration in primary education ' of Regioplan on behalf of the Ministry of Education. The research bureau conducted a survey, filled in by nearly 1800 unemployed people who previously worked in primary education. In addition, the researchers interviewed ten people from this target group.
Not easy
The group of unemployed people from primary education consists of about 11.000 people, according to the researchers. 90 percent of them have a teaching qualification. The researchers warn that these people cannot just be put in front of a class to solve the teacher shortage. 'If the report has made something clear, it is that it is not that simple', the researchers write. "The potential for return depends on several factors."
The potential for return depends on several factors
Roughly speaking, the researched group of unemployment benefit recipients can be divided into three groups: 29 percent indicate that they are no longer able or willing to work in the education sector. 48 percent would like to work in education again, but not as a teacher and 23 percent would like to return to the classroom as a teacher. The research agency expects that about 1.250 people will be able to re-enter the latter group. The researchers expect that about 1.500 people will be able to return from the group that no longer wants to work as a teacher, but would like a different position within education: who is potentially eligible to be appointed as a teacher in primary education.' However, it mainly concerns older unemployed people who will retire within a few years.
Terms & conditions
Whether these people actually return to class depends on several factors. For example, there must be a sufficient supply of jobs in the region. The number of unemployed workers is higher in areas where the teacher shortage is less noticeable, for example in Friesland. Personal experiences also play a role, some have 'turned away' from education because of all the extra tasks and the high workload. Especially smaller classes, less red tape and less work pressure are conditions for being in front of the class again. The image created by employers also plays a role, for example, some of the unemployed indicate that they are never invited for an interview and employers fear financial risks.
Warning
“This report is a warning and a learning opportunity for now and the future,” says AObdriver Eugenie Stolk. “School boards really need to look ahead better: have an eye and care for your staff. Much more cooperation between boards is important to prevent even more employees ending up in a benefit situation. Learn from the past, make a long-term plan and anticipate labor market developments in good time. In recent years there has been a decline. Many people ended up in the unemployment benefit scheme, while we now need everyone because of the shortage. ”
AObdirector Eugenie Stolk: 'This report is a warning and a learning moment for now and the future'
Investments
In addition, the report shows that investments are badly needed. Stolk: “The group of unemployed is large. People drop out after so many years of work pressure and burnouts. They've gone out. The workload must really be reduced and there must be room for development. This way you keep employees motivated and inspired. ”
The workload really has to be reduced and there has to be room for development
Back to work
The researchers make several suggestions in the report to help unemployed people back to work. For example, they advise setting up regional matching pools. These are basically substitute pools where schools arrange their replacement and at the same time unemployed workers can reintegrate there. The experiences of unemployed people who work as a substitute are positive, according to the researchers. They suffer less from the red tape of the profession. Stolk: “But the research also shows that substitutes now feel pressure from the UWV benefits agency to look for a completely different job, while the substitute work is a good reintegration option. Facilitating several substitute jobs next to each other could help. ”
Other solutions include improving unemployment benefits and obligations and strengthening personnel policy. The AOb is working on this, for example through the Participation Fund. “The reintegration policy of the fund was adjusted in 2018,” says Stolk, also director of the fund. “The goal is to get a thousand unemployed people to work by 2020. We do this by offering a career scan and mediating, among other things. ”
No work
Still, a large proportion of the current unemployed will no longer find work, the researchers say. 'On the basis of this study we come to the conclusion that there is a group of unemployed workers who - despite all their efforts - will no longer go to work. This group not only lacks the ability and willingness, but also the possibilities, partly because they are regularly rejected. '
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