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1. Value the teacher
Simon Rozendal, director of the Academy of Secondary Education and Secondary Vocational Education, believes that more positivity around teaching can go a long way. "In my opinion, making the profession more attractive is about increasing the overall appreciation of teacher's craftsmanship and that starts with politics. Comments from politicians that education is faring poorly do not make the sector more attractive to work in. Politicians should have more faith in the fact that every day, huge numbers of teachers do their best to see the individual student and help them take a step forward in their development."
2. Offer internship compensation
A group of second-year English teacher education students agree: by offering an internship compensation and more affordable training, you make the teaching profession more attractive. It's also important to offer future prospects for students: more opportunities for advancement and training opportunities after completing the programme. This way, there is not only more security during studies, but also perspective after studies.
3. Updating admission requirements
First-year students Jaimey, Baukje and Mariska of the pabo advise politicians, in addition to offering a traineeship allowance, to refine the admission requirements. "The entrance tests in the first year weigh too heavily, causing many students to drop out who do have the motivation to study. Level is important, but can also be demonstrated in the fourth year." They advocate for giving students more room to develop to prove they have the required level.
4. Easing the workload
Wendy Tinga, primary school teacher, calls for retaining teachers and easing the workload. As a solution, she suggests hiring more staff for support tasks, such as photocopying, administrative tasks, laminating and cleaning classrooms and kitchens. Wout Niessen, special education teacher, agrees: "Reduce the administration burden by viewing the teacher as a professional again."
5. Engaging with teachers
Jantine Kuijpers, director of the Academy for Primary Education, does not believe that ad hoc measures are going to provide the solution in the teacher shortage. Instead, more dialogue should be initiated with teachers to identify what they need: "Stand up for teachers together! Have faith in their expertise. They deserve that. Engage with teachers to see what they really need, and how they can best be supported to maintain their engagement and passion. And, last but not least: stop all incidental and ad hoc 'measures', because they do not help teachers and their students."
"Stand up for teachers together! Have faith in their expertise. They deserve that." - Jantine Kuijpers, director Academy of Primary Education
Getting started with positive attention
In short: solutions and advice are offered from all sorts of quarters to once again put the teaching profession in a positive light. With a positive approach and more opportunities, appreciation and support for teachers and teachers in training, according to these students, teachers, alumni, school leaders and headmasters, politics can make a lot of difference and the teaching profession will become more attractive again.
