Education unions disappointed: ‘Unfortunately no structural investments’

After reading the Budget Memorandum, the education unions are dissatisfied with the lack of structural investments in the sector, especially to take measures against the teacher shortage. The cabinet is making some 450 million euros available in the budget to cope with the growing number of pupils and students, but this is not intended to reduce the workload and combat shortages.

In addition, some 244 million have been freed up to address backlogs among pupils and students who were delayed when schools closed due to the coronavirus outbreak.

The General Education Union (AOb) is disappointed. “Unfortunately, this cabinet is not opting for structural investment in education, even though the need is so great,” says chairman Eugenie Stolk. “In recent months, the maximum of education has once again been demanded: switching to online teaching, back to work despite everyone’s concerns about corona.”

32 million for teacher shortage

32 million euros has already been earmarked for tackling the teacher shortage. “We will not solve the national shortages with that. The amount is also too small and too fragmented,” says Stolk of the AOb.

“And that while the pressure on the sector has been high for years due to increasing staff shortages”, says CNV Education chairman Jan de Vries. “More money is needed to structurally solve the problems in education.” The PO Council, which represents primary schools, also regrets the lack of structural investments.

The education unions do respond positively to King Willem-Alexander’s speech from the throne, who praised the resilience of the education staff. “The king rightly expresses his appreciation for the teaching staff”, says De Vries.

Growth fund

The VO council, which represents secondary education, says it sees “no surprises” in the cabinet’s education plans. The organization does see opportunities with it National Growth Fund, which makes 6.66 billion euros available for knowledge development. The PO council also sees opportunities to use money from the fund for education.

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