The VCO Foundation no longer puts the director in front of the classroom as a substitute
Christian Education Harderwijk-Hierden (VCO) no longer wants to use directors and internal supervisors during a flu epidemic as a substitute because of the teacher shortage. This is stated in a letter sent to all parents last week.
Image: Pixabay
'Precisely when the incursion problem is great, the director must be available to guarantee the day-to-day affairs at school, to organize solutions and to communicate these,' VCO director Freek ten Klooster writes in his letter to parents. Internal counselors should not of course be used as a substitute either, because it is precisely when education is under pressure that the teachers need the teachers. “We have to draw a line somewhere,” says Ten Klooster.
Eleven primary schools fall under VCO and the teacher shortage can also be felt there. Only two classes have actually been sent home recently, but the school often just completes the timetable by working with emergency solutions, says Ten Klooster. “Part-timers in particular close the gaps and work extra. Or itinerant employees and trainee interns are in front of the class. ”
Worst case
In the letter, the school group explains how they will deal with the teacher shortage in their schools if a flu epidemic comes. "That will not be fun," says Ten Klooster. "Then it becomes painfully clear that we cannot always solve it and, in extreme cases, sometimes have to send classes home."
On the website Lerarenkortisnu.nl, where schools report what they are doing with the teacher shortage, it appears that last week at least 800 students were taught by a principal or an ib'er. Part-timers also came to the rescue last week and nevertheless taught more than 1300 students.
Report your shortage
De AOb calls for continued reporting of shortages the website. Only then will the teacher shortage remain visible. On the site, schools can indicate per day for which class they could not find a teacher and which emergency solution they have chosen.
