"Now I know for sure, that will be on strike again"
During the meet-up, the question was: when will education minister Arie Slob grant the demanded 1,4 billion euros? The teachers present hoped for it, but the minister immediately tempered expectations at the start at half past three: “I think it's cool to speak here, but I can't do anything about the finances. That is why I am here with mixed feelings. ”
Picture: Arie Kiviet
This afternoon, in the Afas Live in Amsterdam, Slob talked to teachers, school leaders, administrators and educational supporters about major themes in primary education, such as the teacher shortage, high workload and salary.
Ramond van Hooijdonk, group 8 teacher, sat on the floor just before half past three with a pen and workbooks around him. “I wanted to be at the meet-up to show that I was fed up. I was hoping to finish this review, but I will have to finish it further tonight. ”
Teachers are going down, we can't continue as we are now. It eats energy. There are many sick teachers at our school.
Jannie Dik, group 8 teacher, from Zaanstad also thought it was important to come. “I really hope that the sense of urgency gets through to Slob. Teachers are going down, we can't continue as we are now. It eats energy. There are many sick teachers at our school.” According to Dik, it is not a matter of 'either or', but 'and and': a better salary and less work pressure. “We lay the foundation for the children.” Her colleague Christiaan Smit agrees: “I hope that the minister will come along with the money on December 5.” Teacher Saskia Nijssen from Assendelft hoped in advance for a clear story from the minister. “I stopped October 5, but now hope for some more substantiation.”
Maximum bets
Minister Slob immediately announced at the kick-off that he cannot arrange extra money for primary education. "I am going to give my maximum effort." Slob hoped those present wouldn't question his motivation.
During the meet-up, the themes were introduced with short films. Then the people on stage, a teacher, support worker or school leader, asked the minister a question. For example, about the teacher shortage that is now felt in many schools. “Why is there no word about this in the coalition agreement”, one school administrator wondered. “Every week I have a dilemma: to divide an unauthorized support person in front of the class or a group.” Slob acknowledged that he had also searched for that theme himself and emphasized that it is a major subject for him. “I will do my best.” The teaching staff present immediately responded: "How?"
Slob pointed to the available money for side entrants, hidden reserves and salaries and during the meet-up indicated that he needed the teachers himself. The high workload was also discussed. “I want a Desiree (the teaching assistant on the stage) in my class,” said a teacher. "How are we going to do that?" Slob always emphasized that he stands next to the teachers and wants to do the maximum that is possible.
Salary
An education couple talked about the mutual salary difference: if she worked full-time in secondary education with the same higher professional education diploma, she would earn 500 euros more than her partner. That introduced the theme of salary. Slob pushed this problem to the collective labor agreement. He can't increase the amount for salaries, he said, but the social partners could negotiate to move the wage scales up faster. "Choices will have to be made at the CLA table." The minister emphasized again that he has frameworks within which he must work. Those present were disappointed.
Teacher Eddy Erkelens of the Schreuder School Institute in Amsterdam: “You see, I already said it beforehand. Nothing is going to happen. This just confirms that we have to strike until the money comes. ” Saskia Nijssen from Assendelft is more frustrated at the end of the afternoon. “This minister shows a lot of understanding for us, but no steps are being taken to do anything. Yes, I have to go on strike again. ”
You can have the meet-up with Minister Arie Slob looking back completely.
