A podcast series about school refusers. Are we really talking about the same topic?.

A podcast series about school refusers. Are we really talking about the same topic?.

The Dutch Association of orthopedagogues (NVO) has put the first part online of a podcast series about homebound students that will have six episodes. The organization wants to give insight into the work of orthopedagogues. The first part led to a storm of criticism, especially also at Ouders & Onderwijs.

There is confusion right away. ‘Welcome and have fun,’ says the presenter, who is accompanied by piano music. As a listener, you hesitate for a moment because are we really talking about the same topic? It is about children who cannot (or no longer) go to school because of school fear, trauma, depression, or bullying and have to stay home?

Screaming and yelling

It becomes stranger when the cases are discussed. A pedagogue talks about a room arranged for education. They continue: ‘They did not come there by themselves. We really had to fetch them. We had a car that was whole nine out of ten times, but not always. That led to us having to lift them from their bed. This boy had locked himself in the toilet. Try to open that door. We took out the hinges to take him, in his pajamas, screaming and yelling. He had to earn his clothes back. He had a long way to go, sitting in class in his pajamas. Screaming and crying because he did not want to give up control. For three days he screamed in our class: I can’t do it.’

Laugh

The story stays with you. And the pedagogue interrupting the facts with a laugh certainly adds to that. ‘It is about children who suffer trauma this way, and you do not need to add exciting podcast elements,’ says Lobke Vlaming, director of Ouders & Onderwijs who listened to it. ‘Everything to keep the sacred belief that school is good for every child. I feel pain when I think of parents who are persuaded to cooperate with this. They must go against their instincts to protect their child.’

Crucial voices

What stands out in all cases (which we will not discuss further here) is that two crucial voices are always missing: those of the parent and the child. That it starts in pedagogy with a trust relationship between adult and child seems to have escaped the makers. The important question is why the NVO wants to connect itself with the content of this podcast.

Responsibility

‘I assume the NVO will take responsibility by distancing itself and apologizing,’ says Lobke Vlaming. Just like parent association Balans, Ouders & Onderwijs distances itself from this podcast. We join the letter Balans set up. In reaction to all the uproar, the NVO says it finds it positive that a broad discussion arises about what and when a good intervention is. The organization emphasizes that it fits its role to seek the sharpest edge.

Questions

For questions about Tailored Education you can go to the thematic page of Ouders & Onderwijs. You can also contact the Balans Advice Line on weekdays between 10:00 and 13:00 at phone number 030-2255050 (choose menu option 3), call Ouders & Onderwijs at 088-6050101, or email vraag@oudersenonderwijs.nl