Four-day week for primary schools in Amsterdam is a 'real possibility'
5 years ago

Four-day week for primary schools in Amsterdam is a 'real possibility'

Dutch News  

Primary schools in Amsterdam are considering a four-day week to head off the shortage of teachers, although it is unclear as yet as to whether school inspectors would agree, Trouw reported on Monday. ‘A four-day week is a real possibility,’ Lieke Thesingh of the primary school board association BBO told the paper. ‘The big advantage is that teachers’ workloads are reduced and they will then have time to check homework or prepare lessons.’ Schools have been asked by education minister Arie Slob to come up with solutions for the teacher shortages before the end of January. Strikes After a year of dispute and strikes, earlier this month unions and employers reached agreement on a new pay and conditions deal for primary school teachers and support staff.

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History of this topic

Schools short by 13,000 teachers, problem worst in big cities
4 weeks, 1 day ago

Schools short by 13,000 teachers, problem worst in big cities

Dutch News  

Primary and secondary schools and vocational colleges are struggling with a shortage of 13,000 teachers and the number is expected to remain high for several years, education ministers Eppo Bruins and Mariëlle Paul have warned. Secondary schools are missing 3,800 full-time teachers, the same number as in 2023, with shortages expected to get worse in subjects such as Dutch, German …

Amsterdam schools struggling now that Covid support is over
9 months ago

Amsterdam schools struggling now that Covid support is over

NL Times  

Now that Amsterdam schools no longer receive extra money to help kids catch up with delays sustained during the coronavirus pandemic, they are struggling to fill the hole in their budgets. “By hiring externally, we were able to guarantee continuity for students and create smaller classes,” Steven Tan of Akso Schools, which has 35 primary schools in the city, told …

Free teacher training is a "no-brainer": union official
1 year ago

Free teacher training is a "no-brainer": union official

Dutch News  

The AOb teachers’ union is calling for free teacher training as an additional measure to combat staff shortages. “I think it’s a no-brainer but no one is looking at it seriously,” AOb chairwoman Tamar van Gelder said in an interview on the union site. Van Gelder said the current measures, which include halving study fees for people entering teaching from …

Free teacher training is a "no-brainer": union official
1 year ago

Free teacher training is a "no-brainer": union official

Dutch News  

The AOb teachers’ union is calling for free teacher training as an additional measure to combat staff shortages. “I think it’s a no-brainer but no one is looking at it seriously,” AOb chairwoman Tamar van Gelder said in an interview on the union site. Van Gelder said the current measures, which include halving study fees for people entering teaching from …

Dutch teachers move to Belgium for smaller classes and longer holidays
1 year, 8 months ago

Dutch teachers move to Belgium for smaller classes and longer holidays

Dutch News  

The number of Dutch teachers working in Flemish schools has gone up by 30% in the last five years, according to figures from the education ministry in Flanders. Last year 1,010 teachers from the Netherlands were registered as working across the border, up from 921 the year before and 770 five years ago. The Netherlands has a shortfall of 9,700 …

Dutch teachers move to Belgium for smaller classes and longer holidays
1 year, 8 months ago

Dutch teachers move to Belgium for smaller classes and longer holidays

Dutch News  

The number of Dutch teachers working in Flemish schools has gone up by 30% in the last five years, according to figures from the education ministry in Flanders. Last year 1,010 teachers from the Netherlands were registered as working across the border, up from 921 the year before and 770 five years ago. The Netherlands has a shortfall of 9,700 …

Netherlands struggles to find qualified teachers; Shortage hits Amsterdam hard
1 year, 11 months ago

Netherlands struggles to find qualified teachers; Shortage hits Amsterdam hard

NL Times  

More and more students are entering teacher training with a too-low language level. The Universities of Applied Sciences are trying to catch the students up but don’t want to hold teachers back due to the teacher shortage, AD reports. In Amsterdam, the teacher shortage is getting so bad that primary schools in the capital are considering dramatic changes to how …

Netherlands to experiment with full-time bonus for teachers
2 years, 2 months ago

Netherlands to experiment with full-time bonus for teachers

NL Times  

The Cabinet will experiment with bonuses for teachers and school leaders who work longer hours, Minister Dennis Wiersma said in a letter to parliament. Education is struggling with major staff shortages, and the Minister hopes a bonus will encourage more teachers to work more hours. This could be a bonus for people who start working full-time or a bonus for …

Amsterdam invests in equal opportunities in primary, secondary education
3 years, 7 months ago

Amsterdam invests in equal opportunities in primary, secondary education

NL Times  

Amsterdam is investing millions of euros into equal opportunities in primary- and secondary education. With this money, schools can offer extra learning time and tutoring for pupils, invest in smaller classes, new teaching materials, and extra training for teachers, the Amsterdam office of mayor and aldermen said. This investment, 9.2 million euros for secondary education over four years and 12 …

Primary schools in Amsterdam lure teachers with more cash
4 years, 6 months ago

Primary schools in Amsterdam lure teachers with more cash

Dutch News  

Amsterdam primary school teachers are to be given an annual bonus of €1,000, and an extra €1,500 on top if they opt for a job in a school in a disadvantaged neighbourhood, in an effort to stop more teachers from leaving. The measure is part of a four-year package aimed at combating the shortage of teachers in the four big …

Primary schools in Amsterdam lure teachers with more cash
4 years, 6 months ago

Primary schools in Amsterdam lure teachers with more cash

Dutch News  

Amsterdam primary school teachers are to be given an annual bonus of €1,000, and an extra €1,500 on top if they opt for a job in a school in a disadvantaged neighbourhood, in an effort to stop more teachers from leaving. The measure is part of a four-year package aimed at combating the shortage of teachers in the four big …

Most primary school teachers returning to work
4 years, 8 months ago

Most primary school teachers returning to work

NL Times  

The vast majority, 80 percent, of primary school teachers in the Netherlands are ready and excited to return to work on Monday. But only 4 percent of teachers said they would not be going to school on Monday, and 3 percent are still considering, according to a survey by DUO and AD among 1,250 teachers. With some teachers not going …

Primary schools present their plans to cope with teacher shortages
4 years, 11 months ago

Primary schools present their plans to cope with teacher shortages

Dutch News  

Primary schools in Amsterdam have presented their plans for combating the shortage of teachers to education minister Arie Slob, and a cut to a four-day week is one of the suggestions. The schools say that more ‘guest teachers’, classroom assistants and other unqualified staff will end up in front of the class – and could take over on the fifth …

Primary schools present their plans to cope with teacher shortages
4 years, 11 months ago

Primary schools present their plans to cope with teacher shortages

Dutch News  

Primary schools in Amsterdam have presented their plans for combating the shortage of teachers to education minister Arie Slob, and a cut to a four-day week is one of the suggestions. The schools say that more ‘guest teachers’, classroom assistants and other unqualified staff will end up in front of the class – and could take over on the fifth …

Four-day week for primary schools in Amsterdam is a 'real possibility'
5 years ago

Four-day week for primary schools in Amsterdam is a 'real possibility'

Dutch News  

Primary schools in Amsterdam are considering a four-day week to head off the shortage of teachers, although it is unclear as yet as to whether school inspectors would agree, Trouw reported on Monday. ‘A four-day week is a real possibility,’ Lieke Thesingh of the primary school board association BBO told the paper. ‘The big advantage is that teachers’ workloads are …

Emergency plan will remedy teacher shortages in 5 big cities, claims gov't
5 years, 1 month ago

Emergency plan will remedy teacher shortages in 5 big cities, claims gov't

NL Times  

The Dutch government is in discussions with the school boards in five cities hard-hit by a shortage of teachers to roll out emergency plans to address the problem. "The emergency measures must alleviate the day-to-day stress of schools, so that schools have the space to focus on solutions for the coming years," the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science said …

Primary school teacher pay deal agreed, but strikes will continue
5 years, 1 month ago

Primary school teacher pay deal agreed, but strikes will continue

Dutch News  

After a year of dispute and strikes, unions and employers have reached agreement on a new pay and conditions deal for primary school teachers and support staff. Despite the agreement, unions say strikes planned for the end of January will still go ahead as the campaign for a structural increase in funding for primary education continues. The government had set …

Primary school teacher pay deal agreed, but strikes will continue
5 years, 1 month ago

Primary school teacher pay deal agreed, but strikes will continue

Dutch News  

After a year of dispute and strikes, unions and employers have reached agreement on a new pay and conditions deal for primary school teachers and support staff. Despite the agreement, unions say strikes planned for the end of January will still go ahead as the campaign for a structural increase in funding for primary education continues. The government had set …

Sixteen Amsterdam primary schools shut this week over teacher shortage
5 years, 1 month ago

Sixteen Amsterdam primary schools shut this week over teacher shortage

NL Times  

The 5,400 students of 16 primary schools in Amsterdam Nieuw-West will not be able to attend classes this week, with their school closed for emergency meetings. The schools, part of the Stichting Openbaar Basisonderwijs Westelijke Tuinsteden announced in November that it would close the doors to their locations for one week while its teachers, staff, and administrators try to come …

16 Amsterdam schools to suspend classes over teacher shortage
5 years, 1 month ago

16 Amsterdam schools to suspend classes over teacher shortage

NL Times  

All 16 primary schools managed by the Westelijke Tuinsteden foundation will close down temporarily in December as the organization tries to find a solution to deal with the growing teacher shortage in the Netherlands, reported broadcaster NOS. The foundation's schools are all based in the Amsterdam Nieuw-West district, including the Slotermeer, Osdorp, Nieuw-Sloten, and Overtoomse Veld neighborhoods, according to the …

Over 4,000 schools closed as teachers strike
5 years, 2 months ago

Over 4,000 schools closed as teachers strike

NL Times  

More than 4 thousand schools in the Netherlands are closed today due to a large strike in primary- and secondary education. The education unions consider the government's promise of a 460 million euros once-off investment insufficient to tackle this shortage. Education union AOb expects most protesting teachers to gather on Dam Square in Amsterdam and in Leeuwarden, according to NU.nl …

Teachers union reverses course; Renews call for national strike on Wednesday
5 years, 2 months ago

Teachers union reverses course; Renews call for national strike on Wednesday

NL Times  

The largest union representing education workers in the Netherlands now wants its membership to take part in a national educators strike on Wednesday after its chairperson was pushed to resign. The strike was called off on Friday by union AOb's chairperson Liesbeth Verheggen after the cabinet, led by Prime Minister Mark Rutte, committed to spending an additional 460 million euros …

Four in 10 Dutch schools have a chronic lack of teaching staff: union
5 years, 2 months ago

Four in 10 Dutch schools have a chronic lack of teaching staff: union

Dutch News  

The shortage of teachers is becoming extremely worrying and four in 10 schools now have no replacement staff should teachers fall ill, according to the Aob teaching union on Friday. While four in 10 ordinary schools are suffering, two-thirds of special needs schools do not have replacement staff, the survey showed. And in the first few weeks of the new …

Four in 10 Dutch schools have a chronic lack of teaching staff: union
5 years, 2 months ago

Four in 10 Dutch schools have a chronic lack of teaching staff: union

Dutch News  

The shortage of teachers is becoming extremely worrying and four in 10 schools now have no replacement staff should teachers fall ill, according to the Aob teaching union on Friday. While four in 10 ordinary schools are suffering, two-thirds of special needs schools do not have replacement staff, the survey showed. And in the first few weeks of the new …

Teacher shortage far worse than previously thought; 40% of schools in trouble: Union
5 years, 2 months ago

Teacher shortage far worse than previously thought; 40% of schools in trouble: Union

NL Times  

The teacher shortage is taking on worrying forms, according to education union AOb. In special education, the problems are even worse - two thirds of schools don't have enough teachers, the union concludes based on its own research among 6,200 teachers, the Telegraaf reports. The teacher shortage often caused problems over the past years, but this year the problems are …

Primary-, secondary school teachers to strike on Nov. 6
5 years, 2 months ago

Primary-, secondary school teachers to strike on Nov. 6

NL Times  

Teachers in primary- and secondary education throughout the Netherlands will strike on Wednesday, November 6th. According to the education sector, this amount will be needed next year to increase salary, reduce workload, and deal with the teacher shortage. During the budget debate in September, Prime Minister Mark Rutte said that he is prepared to set aside an extra once-off amount …

Teachers threaten another national strike in pay dispute
5 years, 3 months ago

Teachers threaten another national strike in pay dispute

Dutch News  

Teaching unions have given the government an ultimatum to raise salaries otherwise they will organise another national strike on November 6. Last week, reports broadcaster NOS, prime minister Mark Rutte said he was ready to pledge more money to combat a desperate teacher shortage but did not give an amount. Unions have said that classes are being sent home across …

Teachers threaten another national strike in pay dispute
5 years, 3 months ago

Teachers threaten another national strike in pay dispute

Dutch News  

Teaching unions have given the government an ultimatum to raise salaries otherwise they will organise another national strike on November 6. Last week, reports broadcaster NOS, prime minister Mark Rutte said he was ready to pledge more money to combat a desperate teacher shortage but did not give an amount. Unions have said that classes are being sent home across …

Teacher shortage claims first victim: Amsterdam school to close
5 years, 3 months ago

Teacher shortage claims first victim: Amsterdam school to close

Dutch News  

An Amsterdam primary school is closing its doors because of the teacher shortage, the Parool reports. School administrator Hubert de Waard told the paper the quality of education could no longer be guaranteed despite efforts to hire temporary staff. In July the school was criticised by school inspectors for not meeting standards but the board says the shortage of teachers …

Teacher shortage claims first victim: Amsterdam school to close
5 years, 3 months ago

Teacher shortage claims first victim: Amsterdam school to close

Dutch News  

An Amsterdam primary school is closing its doors because of the teacher shortage, the Parool reports. School administrator Hubert de Waard told the paper the quality of education could no longer be guaranteed despite efforts to hire temporary staff. In July the school was criticised by school inspectors for not meeting standards but the board says the shortage of teachers …

Unevenly distributed teacher shortage putting education at risk: Inspectorate
5 years, 9 months ago

Unevenly distributed teacher shortage putting education at risk: Inspectorate

NL Times  

An unevenly distributed teacher shortage is putting the future of Dutch education at risk, the Education Inspectorate said in its annual State of Education report. The quality of education is still on par on average, but to maintain that level, "hard choices" will have to be made, the Inspectorate said, NU.nl reports. These cracks threaten to deepen "partly due to …

Tens of thousands of teachers demonstrate in The Hague
5 years, 10 months ago

Tens of thousands of teachers demonstrate in The Hague

Dutch News  

Between 35,000 and 40,000 teachers and lecturers gathered in the centre of The Hague on Friday as teachers went on strike for more pay and better working conditions. In total, teachers are asking the government to increase spending on education by €4bn, of which €3bn would go on primary and secondary education and the rest on colleges and universities. Strikers …

Tens of thousands of teachers demonstrate in The Hague
5 years, 10 months ago

Tens of thousands of teachers demonstrate in The Hague

Dutch News  

Between 35,000 and 40,000 teachers and lecturers gathered in the centre of The Hague on Friday as teachers went on strike for more pay and better working conditions. In total, teachers are asking the government to increase spending on education by €4bn, of which €3bn would go on primary and secondary education and the rest on colleges and universities. Strikers …

Amsterdam pushes €23 mil. into tackling teacher shortage
5 years, 10 months ago

Amsterdam pushes €23 mil. into tackling teacher shortage

NL Times  

Amsterdam is tackling the teacher shortage in the city with extra parking permits, a larger travel allowance, money for teachers coming from other professions, scholarships to improve teams in schools, and 10 thousand euros per director for support, education alderman Marjolein Moorman announced on Monday, Het Parool reports. With this approach the municipality hopes to hire 500 extra full time …

Dutch schools allowed to use unqualified teachers in a crisis; unions upset
6 years, 2 months ago

Dutch schools allowed to use unqualified teachers in a crisis; unions upset

NL Times  

The Ministry of Education will allow primary schools facing a teacher shortage to let people without a teaching qualification, but with specialist knowledge, teach certain subjects if no other solution can be found. But this is an ultimate measure - schools must first have tried everything in their power to find another solution, the Ministry of Education said. The measure …

Shortage of supply teachers creating headache for schools
6 years, 3 months ago

Shortage of supply teachers creating headache for schools

Dutch News  

Schools are struggling with a shortage of supply teachers because replacement staff are being offered permanent contracts. On average supply teacher agencies have lost a third of their personnel during the last school year, often as a result of schools offering permanent jobs to teachers who have stood in for a member of staff. ‘The continuity of education is in …

Shortage of supply teachers creating headache for schools
6 years, 3 months ago

Shortage of supply teachers creating headache for schools

Dutch News  

Schools are struggling with a shortage of supply teachers because replacement staff are being offered permanent contracts. On average supply teacher agencies have lost a third of their personnel during the last school year, often as a result of schools offering permanent jobs to teachers who have stood in for a member of staff. ‘The continuity of education is in …

Teacher shortages force schools to consider four-day week
6 years, 3 months ago

Teacher shortages force schools to consider four-day week

Dutch News  

Two school organisations in Zaanstad are warning that they may have to cut down to a four-day week because of a shortage of teaching staff. We’d rather do a day less and maintain a high standard.’ The education inspectorate said it would not tolerate a long-term reduction to a four-day week if it interfered with the legal requirement to give …

Teacher shortages force schools to consider four-day week
6 years, 3 months ago

Teacher shortages force schools to consider four-day week

Dutch News  

Two school organisations in Zaanstad are warning that they may have to cut down to a four-day week because of a shortage of teaching staff. We’d rather do a day less and maintain a high standard.’ The education inspectorate said it would not tolerate a long-term reduction to a four-day week if it interfered with the legal requirement to give …

Civil servants, students and refugees: Amsterdam presents flying teachers squad
6 years, 4 months ago

Civil servants, students and refugees: Amsterdam presents flying teachers squad

Dutch News  

Amsterdam city council has come up with a team of school assistants and substitute teachers from its own ranks to combat teacher shortages in the capital, the Volkskrant reports. Some 60 civil servants, of whom four are qualified teachers, will help out this school year if large number of teachers at primary and secondary schools fall ill from flu, or …

Civil servants, students and refugees: Amsterdam presents flying teachers squad
6 years, 4 months ago

Civil servants, students and refugees: Amsterdam presents flying teachers squad

Dutch News  

Amsterdam city council has come up with a team of school assistants and substitute teachers from its own ranks to combat teacher shortages in the capital, the Volkskrant reports. Some 60 civil servants, of whom four are qualified teachers, will help out this school year if large number of teachers at primary and secondary schools fall ill from flu, or …

Teacher shortage especially a Randstad problem: report
6 years, 5 months ago

Teacher shortage especially a Randstad problem: report

NL Times  

The massive primary school teacher shortage in the Netherlands seems to be mainly limited to the big cities in the west of the country, according to figures from benefits agency UWV that newspaper Trouw requested. As you get farther away from the big cities, it becomes easier and easier to fill vacancies. In theory, the teacher shortage can be solved …

More students register for teacher training in Netherlands
6 years, 5 months ago

More students register for teacher training in Netherlands

NL Times  

Teacher training colleges received significantly more applications this year than in previous years. The increase is most pronounced in part time training, with 1,735 people registering before the summer holidays. For many years the number of students at teacher training colleges decreased. "There are still many people who consciously choose to stand in front of the class", Henk Verheijde, secretary …

Post summer shortage of 1,300 primary school teachers looms
6 years, 5 months ago

Post summer shortage of 1,300 primary school teachers looms

Dutch News  

Primary schools in the Netherlands face a shortage of 1,300 teachers after the summer holidays, according to a poll of school heads by sector organisation PO-Raad. Tens of thousands of pupils will be affected by the teacher shortage and school heads are being forced to take emergency measures to soften the impact, the council said. ‘We need a solution in …

Post summer shortage of 1,300 primary school teachers looms
6 years, 5 months ago

Post summer shortage of 1,300 primary school teachers looms

Dutch News  

Primary schools in the Netherlands face a shortage of 1,300 teachers after the summer holidays, according to a poll of school heads by sector organisation PO-Raad. Tens of thousands of pupils will be affected by the teacher shortage and school heads are being forced to take emergency measures to soften the impact, the council said. ‘We need a solution in …

Amsterdam teacher shortage: 7,900 kids don't have a teacher yet
6 years, 6 months ago

Amsterdam teacher shortage: 7,900 kids don't have a teacher yet

NL Times  

Around 7,900 children in Amsterdam do not yet know who their teacher will be next year, according to BBO, an administrative group of 35 primary schools in the city. The primary school teacher shortage in Amsterdam is expected to increase to 500 open vacancies by 2023, which means that 15 thousand pupils won't have a teacher. Over the past months, …

Amsterdam primary schools searching 'day and night' for teachers
6 years, 6 months ago

Amsterdam primary schools searching 'day and night' for teachers

Dutch News  

Almost 8,000 primary school children will be without a teacher in September if 300 vacancies are not filled, according to figures from the Breed Bestuurlijk Overleg Amsterdam schools association. ‘It is difficult to predict what will happen as the situation does change quickly,’ Grada Huis, BBO spokesperson, told the newspaper. This is why school headteachers are looking for people day …

Amsterdam primary schools searching 'day and night' for teachers
6 years, 6 months ago

Amsterdam primary schools searching 'day and night' for teachers

Dutch News  

Almost 8,000 primary school children will be without a teacher in September if 300 vacancies are not filled, according to figures from the Breed Bestuurlijk Overleg Amsterdam schools association. ‘It is difficult to predict what will happen as the situation does change quickly,’ Grada Huis, BBO spokesperson, told the newspaper. This is why school headteachers are looking for people day …

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