Primary school salaries, now results after haggling?
"A substantial increase in teacher salaries." After weeks of political bickering, the PvdA managed to get this meager promise loose from the VVD. But is that commitment enough to actually raise teacher salaries from primary education to the level of secondary education in the coalition agreement?
VVD MP Bente Becker said during the action day in June: "Your signal has come through loud and clear." Lodewijk Asscher (PvdA) announced at Malieveld that the PvdA would step out of the caretaker cabinet if almost 300 million were not allocated for primary school teachers on Budget Day. It failed to deliver much more than a promise that there will be a 'substantial increase'. But the four parties at the formation table succeed in quarteting a solid investment plan for education
in the coalition agreement? That is not certain, because they all had very different plans for educational investments.
The quartets about education is also an uncertain game, because there are more major claims. Defense has outdated equipment, there is a threat of traffic congestion due to economic growth, healthcare costs are rising and the pension system is cracking. We put the education cards
on the table. The differences are large, but if the formation with these four parties is to succeed, the 'education party' D66 will have to be rewarded for participating. That offers opportunities. But there are also risks, because in the election program D66 is focusing heavily on reducing workload and not on salaries. An overview:
VVD
Mark Rutte was clear before the elections. Billions for education? Uncalled for. Party member Sander Dekker maintains the same course when he speaks at the congress of the PO Council in June.
You ask for billions, but never mind
we don't fool each other.
That's not realistic.
In the House of Representatives he maintains that there is enough money. "It is not a fat pot, but if you make good choices with it, you can give good education." The willingness to invest in education is small, although MP Bente Becker says on the day of action that the signal has come through loudly at the VVD. Perhaps Rutte is trying to keep D66 on board with extra education money.
CDA
During an election debate on the iPabo in Amsterdam, CDA MP Michel Rog was clear about the salary differences between primary and secondary education.
"That must be equal." How, is left out.
Rog recalls the history of the stable's function mix in all his performances inside and outside the House of Representatives. Then money had been earmarked for 40 percent LB in primary education, but he accuses boards, unions and ministry that they failed to achieve this. Good point, and also a topic where the AOb deals with, but after it
looking back is more interesting looking ahead.
CU
The millions that the Christian Union had in the election program were mainly intended for the development of school teams and the maintenance of small schools in shrinking areas. In the parliamentary debate on work pressure at the beginning of May, this changed. CU MP Eppo Bruins said that extra money is needed “to reduce workload and increase quality”. He was less explicit about salaries.
How can you expect to bring in talent when workloads are high, wages are under pressure and development opportunities are limited?
The CU thinks education is quite important, perhaps they join the formation table together with D66.
D66
It is an enormous struggle for D66 Member of Parliament Paul van Meenen. His party invested 3,8 billion euros heavily on education and thus received the 'education voice'. D66 opted for smaller classes, less workload in all sectors, but saw wage claims increase after the election. During the AObelection debate in February and May in the House of Representatives, Van Meenen warns again and again.
We cannot solve all problems at once.
Although he thinks the salary claims are 'justified demands', he says the scope for recovery is limited. However, substantial investment in education is crucial for D66 to maintain its own profile within a right-wing coalition.
