To tackle the teacher shortage and guarantee quality language teaching, the City of Brussels is granting a €155.43 language premium to primary school teachers who speak and teach French.
Schools in metropolitan areas or with specific language or cultural challenges often face the greatest shortages. Therefore, the introduction of a bonus can contribute to a more attractive working environment in these schools, according to the City of Brussels councillor for Dutch-speaking education, Anaïs Maes (Vooruit).
"With this bonus, we not only want to increase the attractiveness of the teaching profession, but also convince more people to follow teacher training and choose teaching," said Maes. "Additionally, this helps schools attract qualified and motivated teachers and keep experienced teachers in teaching. It is a recognition of their commitment in often challenging contexts."
Additionally, teachers with a strong knowledge of French can better meet the needs of a bilingual city and reinforce French, which is the language many pupils speak at home, with friends and in their free time.
Strengthening quality
Bilingualism is seen by the authorities as a great asset in an international city like Brussels. On 20 and 21 March, several Dutch-speaking schools, such as the Hoofdstedelijke Basisschool De Zennestraal and the Hoofdstedelijk Atheneum Karel Buls, will take part in cultural and sports projects with their French-speaking neighbouring schools (Ecole Fondamentale Baron Steens and Athenée Les Pagodes).
The language bonus is granted to staff members who have a recognised certificate, attestation or certificate of thorough knowledge of the second language and who actually teach French. However, the allowance is not granted automatically; teachers must provide the administration with the required documents.
With this measure, the City of Brussels is taking an important step to address the teacher shortage and strengthen the quality of language teaching.
