Banner #Leraargezocht is also hanging in The Hague
At the Annie MG Schmidt School in The Hague, the #Teacher Search banner is hanging on the green fence in front of the school from today. Here too the teacher shortage can be felt. “One vacancy for a toddler group has not been filled. We therefore start with five groups instead of six. ”
Image: Rob Niemantsverdriet
Two blonde girls run up to 5th grade teacher Karin Merckens for her one hug to give. “We are actually looking forward to it,” says the girl. They missed her during the school holidays and are now eager to start their new school year.
The Central Netherlands region, which includes The Hague, was the last region to restart. The AOb therefore, together with other organizations in this region, also asked for attention for the teacher shortage, which is rising to 1700 FTEs. AObdriver Eugenie Stolk hands out flyers at the gate and tells parents about the problem. “Now things are going well, but no one should get sick,” explains Stolk.
Inke Wentink is an internal supervisor and coordinator of the lower classes at the Annie MG Schmidtschool. “Normally we would have six kindergarten groups,” she says as she enters the schoolyard. “But this time we start with five because we couldn't find a teacher. Only: toddlers will also be joining later, so the groups will become larger. The search continues."
The search continues
Merckens and her colleague Christa Metselaar from group 3 put orange pawns in a row. Mason has a tray of crayons in her hand and together they indicate in the square where the students should gather. Bricklayer: “I'm looking forward to it,” she says. Her colleague Merckens agrees: “Yes, we had preparations last week, but then the classes are of course empty. It is great that the children are back now. That's why I became a teacher. ”
Emergency measures
Last year, both teachers noticed how the teacher shortage hit their school. Merckens lists some emergency measures: “Classes are divided, part-timers work more. There are also sometimes interns in front of the group. ” Mason works for three days, but made regular extra days last school year.
Yes, last week we had preparation, but then of course the classes are empty. It is very nice that the children are back now
Father Diederik Biesboer is standing with his daughter in the schoolyard. He has three children at the Hague school. “It's okay if there is an occasional emergency solution, but I hope it won't happen more often,” he says.
Nobody
Meanwhile, the schoolyard is filling up with parents and students. A girl spins around on the jungle gym. Parents catch up. School director Femke Privé looks at the square with her team of teachers. “During the holidays I was still very busy with the vacancy. I often checked my email and was on LinkedIn. There's just no one left. Fortunately, a lateral entrant is now starting who is also doing training. It would be great - and necessary - if the government allocates more money to education.”
AObdirector Stolk also hopes that the cabinet will opt for the future. “Socially speaking, there is enormous support. After Prinsjesdag we will again gauge our members about the actions to be taken. ”
