'Whole special primary education to four days'
No teachers, no substitutes and no possibilities to divide groups: the teacher shortage in special primary education is taking on dramatic proportions. This is evident from interviews with school directors in the March issue of the Education Magazine. “Perhaps a four-day school week for all special primary education is a solution,” says Suzanne de Koning, board member of SBOwerkverband.
Picture: Type tank
The teacher shortage has hit extra hard in special primary education, according to interviews with directors of schools for special primary education. Because the pond in which special primary education fishes for teachers is many times smaller than that of regular education.
“We have enterprising, energetic students and they require extra skills from teachers,” says Suzanne de Koning of SBOwerkverband. This is an association of schools for special primary education. That makes the flush thin.
Our target group is not such that you say: I'll open the connecting door and run two classes at the same time today
The pupils in this type of education also need a lot of structure, and that structure is of no benefit from the use of substitutes, if they could be found at all.
For the same reason, dividing groups is not really an option. “Our target group is not such that you say: I just open the connecting door and run two classes at the same time today,” says a director in the Education magazine. “Everywhere three students,” says another director, “is impossible. Not for the children themselves, and not for the class they end up in. ”
Two jobs at the same time
In order not to have to send groups home, directors and internal supervisors (IB'ers) stand in front of the class themselves. “Last school year, our ib'er was actually structurally responsible for the group,” says one of the directors. “Meanwhile, she was also trying to keep up with her ib work, so she was working almost two jobs at the same time.” The director at the time did the same – and he is now ill.
On the one hand, the King of SBOwerkverband understands well that schools put their ambulant people in front of a group. “Still, you are really robbing your team and school organization. This teacher shortage must not also be at the expense of your staff. I would say: send the group home again. ” The latter therefore happens regularly. One of the directors has already done so twelve times this school year.
Salary
The solution, according to directors, is in any case more salary. "The profession must become more attractive, status also depends on salary."
And as long as that salary is not regulated, only emergency measures remain. “Perhaps the entire special primary education can move towards a four-day school week,” says De Koning of SBOwerkverband. "I am a great supporter of appropriate education and I see many opportunities in the cooperation between regular and special education, but: without teachers it will not work."
The complete article will appear in the Education Magazine of 3 March. AObmembers receive the magazine every month.
