A series of measures were taken during the past legislative period to combat the teacher shortage. However, figures from the VDAB show that the number of vacancies is currently still higher compared to the same period last year.
Also, a week before the start of the school year, almost half of the schools were still looking for at least one teacher. In the field, there is hope that the future Flemish government will come up with a long-term plan to give teachers and school boards a perspective.
Walentina Cools, general director of the Education Association of Cities and Municipalities (OVSG), calls on the future Flemish government to at least include in its coalition agreement the intention to work on a teacher career pact together with all educational stakeholders.
To trust
Bruno Vanobbergen, the new director general of Catholic Education Flanders, asks the government to give schools and teachers confidence. “At a time when it’s all hands on deck, it’s so important to have confidence in the people who are in the field day in, day out.”
As for the quality of education, we are looking forward to the extensive results of the Flemish tests, which are expected this autumn. These should tell schools how they score compared to schools with a comparable population. Now, Dutch and mathematics are tested.
Koen Pelleriaux, managing director of GO! community education, would like to see the tests expanded to subjects such as electricity or woodworking in technical and vocational education.
