'Level of seventh graders down due to teacher shortage'
Secondary schools are more likely to have to brush up first graders who come from primary school with learning disadvantages. That is what the VO council states in the AD. Without a solution to the teacher shortage, the learning disadvantages will only increase, the secondary education council expects.
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According to the secondary education council, the level in the intermediate classes is slowing down, especially in places where the teacher shortage is greatest - such as in the big cities. 'Teachers see that not all pupils reach the final level of primary school. That problem will only increase with the teacher shortage, 'says VO council chairman Paul Rosenmöller in the AD.
This is an unsustainable situation – for the students, for the teachers and later for society
The seventh graders enter secondary school mainly with reading arrears. These backlogs must be eliminated as much as possible in the bridging classes, which increases the workload. And not only with the subject of Dutch. 'All subjects are linguistic', says Maryse Knook, director of the Open School Community Bijlmer in Amsterdam in the AD. "So all teachers have to work harder to keep up with the students."
Disadvantaged neighborhoods
Especially students who do not receive extra help at home, as is often the case in disadvantaged neighborhoods, are at risk of falling behind. 'We can already see that happening, but I fear the worst for the students who are now in group 8,' says Knook. "This situation is worst for the children," adds Rosenmöller. "They cannot use their talents sufficiently."
Unsustainable
AObdriver Henrik de Moel recognizes the signals. “The consequences of the teacher shortage are now reaching the lower grades of secondary education, and soon the upper grades. And that while the teacher shortages in secondary education are already rising. That is an untenable situation - for the students, for the teachers and teachers and soon for society. A significant investment in education is needed, and that's why to strike primary and secondary education together on 30 and 31 January. "
