Slob does come up with money for 'unexpected' side entrants
Funds will still be available for school boards that want a subsidy for the appointment of side entrants, provided that applications are submitted before 29 August. Education minister Arie Slob has increased the subsidy amount and will, if necessary, make an effort to find more budget.
Picture: Livestream Tweede Kamer
The Education Magazine reported at the end of August that the subsidy for lateral entrants was put 'on hold'. A letter in which Minister Slob reported that the subsidy ceiling had been reached caused a lot of unrest among school boards. This concerns an amount of 20 euros per side entrant.
MPs from GroenLinks, the PvdA and the SP asked Slob parliamentary questions at the beginning of this month because they wanted to know how it was possible that the subsidy pot was empty, while there is a teacher shortage.
In a letter Slob has now informed the House of Representatives that he will grant all outstanding applications from primary education submitted until 29 August. The number of applications has risen sharply, Slob says, especially in primary education. 'Of course we had foreseen an increase, but not to that extent.'
Unrest
In the parliamentary questions, the opposition points out that it is not the first time that unrest has broken out in schools about the subsidy. In September 2018 school foundation Het Sticht received an email that their application may have been rejected because the subsidy ceiling had almost been reached. There is a chance that schools that are unsure about their budget will reject people who want to start a side-entry pathway.
Minister Slob: 'Of course we had foreseen an increase, but not to that extent'
Coverage
The minister is now raising the subsidy ceiling, so that more applications can be awarded. He also informs the House that he will endeavor to find funding for applications after 29 August. It is therefore uncertain whether that will actually work. In his letter, the minister states that he is examining how the side intake can be properly arranged in the long term. He is considering integrating the route into the training system.
