Out of 110 mathematics teachers in the final two years of secondary school, only 18 had the correct diploma, a recent survey by the Flemish parliament has concluded.
"In more and more schools, there is not even one actual mathematician working," said member of the Flemish parliament Franc Bogovic (Open Vld), according to Het Laatste Nieuws. "The situation is only getting worse. 404 maths teachers left their positions last year."
A primary school teacher who teaches maths in the first year of secondary school to students pursuing a non-maths degree, is however not a problem, according to experts. Neither is someone with a masters degree in economics teaching mathematics in secondary school.
"In the absence of an actual mathematician, the subject is taught by people whose degrees tend towards science," said Filip Moons of the Flemish Association for Maths Teachers to Het Laatste Nieuws. "Biologists, computer scientists, physiotherapists and even academically trained physical education teachers are teaching maths now," he added.
Maïthé Chini
The Brussels Times
