'Small classrooms provide the space that is sorely needed'
De AOb together with other associations of educational staff, parents and students, start a petition for considerably smaller classes in primary and secondary education. The target is a maximum of 21 students per class by 2025.
Picture: Type tank
It may seem illogical: making classes considerably smaller while there is a teacher shortage. Yet that is what the next cabinet should start as soon as possible, think parents, students and education staff. Because pupils will only perform better when they receive more attention, and appropriate education will remain a problem until class size is rigorously addressed, according to the AOb.
Influence
Small classes will reduce the workload, resulting in fewer teachers dropping out and making the profession more attractive, explains AObchairman Eugenie Stolk. And that reduces the teacher shortage. From a political point of view, this is the time to fully focus on class reduction, says Stolk: “If you want to influence what the next cabinet will do, you have to speak up now. That is why I ask everyone to sign this petition. The gradual growth in the number of students per class puts our colleagues completely under pressure. ”
You can wait until there are enough teachers, but you can also attract and retain more teachers by smaller class sizes
Stolk reasons: "You can wait until there are enough teachers, but you can also attract and retain more teachers by smaller classes. We want to start at schools in deprived areas: the effect is greatest there."
Are you also for smaller classes in primary and secondary schools? Sign the petition here.
In recent years, more and more research has been conducted into the effects of small classes. Five conclusions in a row:
- Reducing classes to a maximum of 21 students is effective and the benefits continue to work.
- In the long term, small classes will generate substantial economic growth, the Education Magazine even calls it a 'gold mine'.
- Smaller classes prevent starters from dropping out.
- Small classes have less unrest, less misconduct, a better atmosphere and more learning.
- Smaller classes promote the well-being of teachers. And less absenteeism means that fewer replacements are needed and that there is less staff turnover.
Join us and:
Sign the petition
Watch the interview with Eugenie Stolk on the video channel of the Algemeen Dagblad (AD).
Also read: 'Seven times the usefulness of small classes'
1: CPB, 2020, Promising Education Policy
2: SEO Economic Research, 2020 Investing in education pays off. Sweden, 2011, Long term effects or class size
3: USA, 2004 Teacher attrition and retention
4: USA, 2003, The "Whys" of class size: student behavior in small classes
5: USA, 2008, Class size reduction
