A record 4,283 preschool teachers stood in front of a classroom in a primary school last year, according to figures that opposition party Vooruit requested from Flemish Education Minister Ben Weyts (N-VA).
In April this year, the VDAB had 2,779 vacancies for primary and secondary school teachers. This has let to some schools finding alternative solutions to ensure that classes are staffed; in some instances, headmasters are increasingly relying on preschool teachers to teach in primary schools.
During the 2021-2022 school year, there were already 4,283 preschool teachers (7.8%) teaching in primary schools – up from 1,151 (2.5%) ten years ago, Belgian media wrote on Monday.
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"A strong teacher for every class," Vooruit group leader Hannelore Goeman said. "That is the basis of strong education. Every child deserves a teacher with the right diploma in front of the class." Goeman says that a plan is needed to make the job of a teacher more attractive.
It is unclear how many preschool teachers are retraining to be in primary schools. Regardless, retraining is not compulsory. "Many of them have voluntarily taken extra training and are very driven," Weyts said. "These teachers only got a permanent appointment when their headmaster saw that they had the right qualities to teach primary school children. I regret that Vooruit portrays these people as incompetent."
