Start of new school year for over 1.2 million pupils in Dutch-speaking education

While pupils in French-speaking education have already been in school for a week, a new school year starts for over 1.2 million pupils in the Dutch-speaking education system on Monday. As the shortage of teachers and the quality of education remain major concerns, the Dutch-speaking education sector is hoping for an ambitious long-term plan from the future Flemish government.

In the past legislature, a string of measures were taken to combat the shortage of teachers in Dutch-speaking education. But figures of the Flemish employment agency VDAB show that the number of vacancies is currently even higher compared to the same period last year. Almost half of the schools were still looking for at least one teacher a week before the start of the school year.

There is hope in the sector that the future Flemish government will come up with a long-term plan to offer teachers and school boards a more positive perspective. Walentina Cools, general director of the Education Association of Cities and Municipalities (OVSG), called on the future Flemish government to include in its coalition agreement at least the intention to work on a teacher career pact together with all education actors.

Bruno Vanobbergen, brand-new director-general of Catholic Education Flanders, in turn asked that the government give schools and teachers confidence. “At a time when it is all hands on deck, it is so important to have confidence in the people who are out in the field day in and day out.”

Concerning the quality of education, the sector is looking forward to the comprehensive results of the Flemish tests, expected this autumn. These should show schools how they score compared to other schools with a similar population. Right now, testing is done on Dutch and mathematics. Koen Pelleriaux, managing director of GO! community education, would like to see the tests extended to subjects such as electricity or woodworking in technical and vocational education.

^{#FlandersNewsService | Pupils at the playground on the first day of the new school year in French-speaking education, at the 'Ecole du Centre' school in Uccle - Ukkel, Brussels, on 26 August 2024 © BELGA PHOTO ERIC LALMAND}