Sick teachers and replacement.

class sent home because teacher is sick

Research shows that eight in ten parents expect the school to make sure there is a qualified teacher in the classroom for all lessons. 59% think a good substitute can offer a child at least as much as the regular teacher.

Most parents prefer a fixed substitute but see a retired teacher (76%), a parent with teaching qualification (59%), or a pabo student (51%) as possible substitutes.

Although 62% understand that there is not always a quick solution, parents think children should be able to stay at school during school time (82%) and that they should never be sent home (67%). The class of one in ten children has been sent home because their teacher was sick and no substitute was available.

four-day school weeks are not allowed

Introducing a four-day school week is not allowed by law, not even as an emergency measure because of the teacher shortage. The minister of education writes this in a letter to the House of Representatives. The law allows primary schools to schedule four-day weeks, but only up to seven times a year for groups three to eight. A school can use these four-day weeks to deal with teacher shortages in special cases.

schools’ duty of care when teacher is sick

If no substitute is available, children can be split up over other classes. It is also possible that school leaders take over the class. In case of emergency and accidents, an unqualified teacher can also stand in. When parents have no way to care for their children, the Ministry of Education assumes the school’s duty of care. The primary school must provide suitable care during school hours.

what can parents do?

Parents can ask their child’s school what the plan is when substitutes cannot be found. Also, the parent group in the school participation council can speak critically about the policy for substitutes and the shortage of substitutes. This way, parents can make their voice heard before problems occur.