Especially 'G5' benefits from government money against teacher shortages
The 32 million that the cabinet structurally made available this spring to combat the teacher shortage will mainly go to five large cities: Rotterdam, Amsterdam, The Hague, Utrecht and Almere.
Image: Pixabay
Minister Arie Slob is thus meeting the recurring call from 'the G5' for priority. The cities have a relatively large number of schools in disadvantaged neighborhoods where the teacher shortage hits the hardest. Life is also more expensive there. All teachers in Amsterdam primary education (po) will therefore receive an annual supplement from September. In 2020 that will be 1.000 euros gross on top of their salary. Primary education teachers at schools with many pupils at risk of educational disadvantage - in Amsterdam there are about one in three according to the Volkskrant - receive 2.500 euros. The four other cities are mainly focusing on extra guidance for (starting) teachers and more support staff.
Customization for side entrants
Figures that the Education Magazine received from the Ministry of Education show that the five major cities will receive an additional 2021 million annually from 21. In addition, 11 million more will be made available per year for teacher training colleges and teacher training courses, intended to offer side entrants more customization and to provide them with better guidance at internship schools. The table below shows how the extra money will be distributed from this year.
| Extra money for | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
| Five major cities | 17 million | 21 million | 21 million | 21 million |
| Teacher training | 11 million | 11 million | 11 million | 11 million |
'We had hoped for more money,' said Amsterdam alderman for education Marjolein Moorman last Tuesday in the Volkskrant: 'But this is a great first step. It is recognition for the fact that in some places more is being asked of teachers and that in some places they are more needed. '
Eindhoven is bigger
Reactions on social media are both grateful and critical. Max Tollenaar, chairman of the GroenLinks party in Eindhoven, writes on Twitter: 'Since when has Almere (213.100 inhabitants) been part of the G5? Eindhoven (234.401 inhabitants) is really bigger...'. Peter Dooijeweerd is chairman of the board of the Delta Scholengroep in Arnhem. He says on Twitter: 'This is difficult. Of course something has to be done, but G5 doing business with the cabinet further erodes a strong, joint position of the PO sector. Sounds like encouragement for Arnhem, Nijmegen, Enschede, Zwolle, Amersfoort and 's Hertogenbosch.'
Vulnerable areas
That encouragement was not necessary, because last Tuesday, fifteen cities, including Arnhem, also entered the pen to point out corona-related problems in their neighborhoods. The mayors of the G4, but also of Nieuwegein, Heerlen and Schiedam, for example, signed it manifest 'Stand up for the most vulnerable areas'. In it they call the teacher shortage a major risk for children growing up in disadvantaged neighborhoods and argue for an 'increase in the salaries for good teachers'.
When politicians dare to choose, they invest in education everywhere
AObchairman Eugenie Stolk: “First it was the G3, then the G5 and now it is fifteen cities. Of course we are happy that there is extra money for the G5, but the teacher shortage is unfortunately gradually felt everywhere. When politicians dare to choose, they invest in education everywhere. ”
