Handed out a lot of lemons
Grotenberge primary school in Zottegem is open today, but they are doing a fun promotion there. Everyone at the school gate gets a lemon, because they feel that the teachers are being squeezed out by the government. “This way we make it clear how we feel,” says the voice at the school gate.
In GO! Pluishoek residential school in Heist-op-den-Berg, the teachers go one step further. Parents and children are treated to a glass of fruit juice on Monday morning. “There are rarely strikes here, but now there was still great doubt,” says director Daphne Van Rompaey. “In recent years it has become much more difficult to attract staff and the planned measures make our profession less attractive. There was little interest in actually moving to Brussels. If we stay at home, the children and their parents suffer. So we decided to do a campaign at school.” The teachers there also feel squeezed out. “Vitamins as an antidote to the government’s unhealthy plans,” it also sounds.
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“Elderly” teachers
Parents and children from the municipal primary school De Dobbelsteen in Moerzeke were welcomed on Monday morning by much older-looking teachers. Some even needed a walker or walking stick to get around. Director Chrissy Cuvelier joined the fun action of her staff. “I am pleased that in this way we are sending a clear signal to policy makers, parents and everyone who needs to know that the current changes to the pension scheme show little respect for teachers and management. At the same time, we also prefer to take on our teaching duties instead of putting down work.”
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De Kleurenboom primary school in Gingelom also teaches as normal, but do not let the government’s plans go unnoticed. The team welcomes their students as “golden oldies”.
‘Elderly’ teachers teach at Omer Wattez Maarkedal Primary School
Teachers dress in black
All fifty teachers from the Hollebeekschool in Temse were present on Monday morning. “But that does not mean that we agree with the planned pension measures that the government has on the agenda,” says director Tine Van Poeck. To express their dissatisfaction, all teachers are dressed in black in front of the classroom today. “The choice not to leave the children out in the cold came from the teachers themselves,” says Van Poeck. “We are mainly concerned about the future. If the planned measures are implemented, it will make our job less attractive and will only exacerbate the teacher shortage. We are already looking every week for people who want to stand in front of the class”
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Sint-Michiel primary school in Keerbergen also opened its doors today. We are not going to demonstrate in Brussels, although we also do not agree with the pension plans. We take action at school in our own way without the children, our most important concern, being the victims,” he said. “We wear black today and want to stand there with a heart for our students. Today and tomorrow. We want to offer every child the quality education they are entitled to. We do this with heart and soul every day, even today! In return, we ask for a decent wage and the prospect of a livable pension. We cannot allow this to be cut again.” Leaves were hung on the school gate with the teachers’ wishes, addressed to the government.
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Even more actions:
The Oudenaarde primary schools KBO Ename and KBO Eine expressed their dissatisfaction with the federal government’s pension plans on Monday morning with playful actions. “We are committed to our pensions and support our striking colleagues. But care for the children comes first and that is why we continue to guarantee education today,” says both schools.
At the Helibel school in Pelt in the Sint-Huibrechts-Lille district there is no strike against the pension reform plans, but there they express their dissatisfaction through lemons and a polonaise.
The teachers of GBS Mozaïek in Humbeek took action in and around the school. “Part of our team would not manifest in Brussels, but rather take action in and around our school,” says kindergarten teacher Evi Van Buggenhout of the second kindergarten class.
