The Dutch-language Heilig-Hartcollege school in the Brussels municipality of Ganshoren (part of the Sint-Goedele school group) has had to close two nursery classes until the Christmas holidays due to a shortage of teachers.
Around 30 children will therefore have to stay at home, said director of the Sint-Goedele school group Bruno De Lille, confirming a report by Bruzz.
The closure is due to the absence of several teachers and supervisors, notably because of maternity leave, two operations and burnout. The school offers emergency accommodation for children, "but not everyone can get there every day," said De Lille. "We don't have enough supervisors for that."
"It's a combination of circumstances," said the headmaster. "Four teachers were absent. Ideally, we should be prepared for such a situation, but we are facing a structural shortage of teachers in Brussels, so we haven't found anyone to replace them."
In the meantime, two candidates have volunteered to take over the teaching, but it remains to be seen whether they are suitable. The school has also launched an appeal on social networks.
De Lille was keen to emphasise the wider phenomenon of a shortage of teachers in the capital. "The teaching profession needs to be made more attractive in Brussels," he said – a task for the new Flemish Minister for Education, Zuhal Demir (N-VA).
According to the school group's director, however, the Flemish coalition agreement makes no mention of structural solutions.
