'Emergency plan for teacher shortage is a sham'
The emergency plan with which Education Minister Slob wants to combat the teacher shortage in the big cities is a sham. That says AObchairman Eugenie Stolk. “With its one million euros you can appoint sixteen teachers, while the shortage rises to many thousands of teachers. That can only be solved with a substantial structural investment. ”
Picture: Type tank
Minister Slob and Minister Van Engelshoven wrote to the House of Representatives today that emergency plans are drawn up to combat teacher shortages in Amsterdam and The Hague. Then it is Rotterdam, Utrecht and Almere's turn. The plans state which schools are currently suffering the most and which measures school boards can already take.
One million euros seems like a lot of money, but you can only appoint sixteen teachers with it
The emergency plans also consider whether it is necessary to deviate from existing regulations. According to the ministers, it is "inevitable to organize education differently with fewer teachers than we are used to, without compromising on quality."
“In fact, the minister admits that we cannot maintain the normal quality of education,” says AObchairman Stolk. “I find that very sad. When it comes to education, you should never give up. ”
Increase
In the letter to the House of Representatives, the ministers are offering many millions. Almost all of this money has already been pledged – such as money to reduce the workload in education. “The letter also states that the major cities – the G4 – will receive 1 million euros for four years,” says Stolk. “That sounds like a lot of money, but with that you can appoint sixteen teachers. While the shortages amount to many thousands of teachers. So that doesn't solve anything."
Flanders
In fact, the money only moves the problems. Stolk: “Suppose you are a school in Vlaardingen or Diemen, while schools in Rotterdam and Amsterdam receive extra money. Then you might lose teachers to your neighbors, and your shortages will increase even further. The teacher shortage is an enormous national problem, which can only be solved with a substantial structural investment. Otherwise, plasters will stick to a wound that is much too large. ”
