As the teacher shortage continues across Belgium, a growing number of primary schools in Brussels are switching to a four-day week of classes.
The 4/5th teaching week that has been introduced due to a lack of teachers means that some schools now have no classes on Wednesdays, when pupils would normally only have half a day of classes. The four lessons that are missed on that day are then divided among the other school days.
"The measure was taken out of necessity. Two years ago, we had a huge staff shortage and the Wednesday morning was not getting filled," Kristel Derdelinckx, director of the nursery and primary school 'De Bloeiende Kerselaar' in Watermael-Boitsfort, told VRT.
The four hours of lessons that pupils used to take on Wednesday have now been spread over the other weekdays. On Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, they have one extra lesson. "Classes start 15 minutes earlier, stop 20 minutes later and we have shortened the lunch break: from one hour and 15 minutes to one hour."
Seven schools
The system took some getting used to – both for pupils and teachers – but it does not seem to have impacted the children's grades, said Derdelinckx. The school is one of five entering its second year with just four teaching days per week. Each of them is maintaining the practice this school year.
Two other primary schools, in the municipality of Molenbeek-Saint-Jean, are also starting the 4/5th class week this school year due to the teacher shortage – bringing the total to seven so far.
