'Education must really become a top priority, actions will continue'
“Wednesday's strike was an incredible success thanks to the efforts of all school teams, parents and boards,” said Vice President Eugenie Stolk. “We have all shown that there is an enormous social problem that must be structurally resolved. The teacher shortage disrupts schools, affects quality and increases inequality. ” The AOb therefore continue the campaigns, there will be more news about this in the course of next week.
Picture: Fred van Diem
The debate about the education budget is very disappointing. In addition to the 460 million euros of incidental money, the cabinet does not want to structurally invest in education, education minister Arie Slob (ChristenUnie) yesterday clearly in the House.
“As far as he is concerned, this is it for this cabinet term”, Tamar van Gelder observes. AObdriver and action coordinator. “As if this cabinet has been ruled out. Of course that cannot be the case. The need in schools is high. The pay gap between primary and secondary education has not been closed. Secondary education cannot solve the workload with one-time money. ”
AObdirector Tamar van Gelder: 'As if this cabinet has been ruled out. Of course that cannot be the case. The need in the schools is great.'
Van Gelder warns, however, that even making the 460 million structural - if necessary - will not help education out of trouble. “In March, we went on strike for a four billion investment plan. That is still our ultimate goal. In order to tackle the worst emergency in the schools, the requirement for an emergency package of more than 400 million euros was subsequently imposed. I repeat, an emergency kit. So even if the 460 million euros does become structural due to motions or amendments to the education budget, we are not there yet. If there is then no money for a structural investment plan, we will strike structurally. ”
Deep breath
According to Vice President Eugenie Stolk, this requires long-term action. "If education wants to be able to do its job again, we will also look at the longer term and after the emergency package in a new coalition agreement, we will have to ensure that education becomes the top priority."
For dessert the educational debate Motions and amendments were tabled on Thursday evening. Political parties will vote on the motions on Tuesday and must then show their color, the amendments will only be discussed in the course of December. The AOb will remove the most important motions and amendments, share them via social media and provide voting advice. “For example, there are still a few mouse holes to structurally receive money for the emergency package,” says Vice President Eugenie Stolk.
To influence
De AOb will via Twitter en Facebook show which motions and amendments receive our support. All teaching staff can then use social media to influence political parties that have doubts about structural funding. Stolk: “Teachers, support staff and school leaders were loud and clear on Wednesday, we are not leaving politics alone now. Education really needs to be a top priority. The actions will continue, we will tell you more about this in the second half of next week. We naturally involve our members in shaping the campaigns."
