Reflecting on the teacher shortage.

Reflecting on the teacher shortage.

It is alarming news. Because of the teacher shortage, sixteen Amsterdam primary schools will close their doors for a week. Stichting Openbaar Basisonderwijs Westelijke Tuinsteden (StWT), under which the schools fall, uses the time wisely to reflect on the teacher shortage.

Vacancies

With twenty-five vacancies, classes without a fixed teacher, and two schools struggling, there is little reason for optimism. Yet the foundation gives a positive twist to the news with the Week of Education Quality. All principals, teachers, and support staff work under professional guidance on a plan focusing on education quality.

Goal

The goal is to look together for solutions to the teacher shortage. “We must take time to think. We are in a situation we have never been in before. We do not know exactly what to do. If we do not think carefully, we will not understand the situation and make wrong decisions,” said director Joke Middelbeek in an interview with AD.

Parents

Parents are also involved in the initiative. There are meetings where they can have their say. For example, at the 7th Montessorischool. A parent wrote a report about it, which clearly shows their concerns. For the 5,400 students of the schools, there are no lessons between 9 and 13 December.