Lars Van Santvoort is regional secretary for Education ACOD. – © ACOD Onderwijs / RR, Belga, Fotomontage GVA
At least 2,000 demonstrators will take part tomorrow/Tuesday in the first day of action by the education unions out of dissatisfaction with the Wisdom Commission report. This is evident from surveys conducted by trade unions among their members. “Unique,” says COC. And the ACOD is also optimistic about the action that starts on Tuesday at 9:30 am on the Operaplein in Antwerp.
The three educational unions ACOD Education, COC and VSOA Education are organizing five exhibitions in May, each on a different day in a different city in every Flemish region. On Tuesday it will be Antwerp’s turn and the first figures show that there will be a large attendance, the Christian Education Center (COC) reports in a press release.
“Although it was initially hoped that 1,000 demonstrators would be spread over five provinces, 2,000 demonstrators are expected in Antwerp alone,” said COC secretary general Koen Van Kerkhoven. “That’s unique! And the counters are not standing still. ”
“The size is full”
Lars Van Santvoort, regional secretary for ACOD Education, also feels good about the turnout. Although he does not immediately want to give concrete figures. “Demonstrators or strikers don’t have to register with us, but I get a lot of phone calls from our members. You can clearly sense that many teachers have had enough and are fed up with Education Minister Ben Weyts.”
This is why several community education and Urban Education schools do not open their gates in the morning and gather at Opera Square at half past ten. From there, half an hour later, he will move to Groenplaats where several members and regional secretaries of the various educational unions will speak.
It remains to be seen whether Catholic education will participate, according to Van Santvoort, “but I also get signals from our members within that umbrella group that they also want to take action.” “
Emergency shelter
So it will not be possible to continue with countless lessons. Some schools will organize emergency care while others will be forced to move to distance learning due to staff shortages.
After Antwerp, activities will continue in Ostend on Wednesday, May 8 at Sint-Petrus-en-Paulusplein at 10 am, Leuven on Monday, May 13 at Martelarenplein at 10 am, Hasselt on Tuesday, May 14 at Molenpoortplein at 1 pm and finally Ghent on Wednesday, May 15 in Citadel Park at 10am.
2024-05-06 14:02:27
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